An investigation has been launched after a man died when he was hit by a Tube train following a police chase in west London.
Officers were pursuing a car along Du Cane Road, near Shepherds Bush when it ploughed into another vehicle.
Those in the car ran when police moved in just after 8.30pm on Monday.
A man was found fatally injured on underground tracks after being hit by a central line train near East Acton station after the incident.
The spot where the car crashed is next to the underground line which is fenced off.
A police helicopter was scrambled to the scene to help the police hunt down the suspects.
It put a spotlight on the train tracks, according to witnesses.
Mike Hill, 54, a tradesman whose flat backs onto the tracks said: “I heard a commotion and looked out and there was a police helicopter with a spotlight lighting up the tracks. I can’t tell you how many police there were, there were loads of them.
“There was a grey VW totally smashed up with the airbag out. The police search was definitely focused on the tracks.”
Another neighbour said: “There was a bang and then police, ambulances and a helicopter swooped in. It was very dramatic.”
The car chase ended between Queen Charlotte’s Hospital and Wormwood Scrubs prison. A police cordon remains in place and a grey VW estate with extensive damage was towed away today.
A police statement said: “At about 20:35hrs on Monday, 21 August, officers on patrol attempted to stop a vehicle on Du Cane Road.
“The vehicle failed to stop and subsequently collided with a car. Multiple occupants from the suspect vehicle fled the scene on foot.
“A man, who was in the second car, was taken to hospital as a precaution.
“A short time later, a male was seen close to tracks before being struck by a train close to East Acton Underground Station. He has been pronounced dead at the scene.
“The Directorate of Professional Standards has been informed.”
“We are working to establish the males his identity and inform next of kin. Enquiries into the circumstances continue.”
