A 34-year-old man has died on railway tracks in south London after being involved in a car chase with Metropolitan Police officers, the force said.
The Met said that at round 3.26am this morning, a car heading towards Streatham High Road failed to stop for police.
The force authorised a vehicle pursuit and officers followed the car for a short time, indicating it should stop.
However, the car crashed in Brunswick Mews, Streatham, and the driver ran from the scene, the Met Police said. He was last seen in nearby Potters Lane before officers lost sight of him.
The police helicopter was called in and a search of the area was conducted.
Shortly after, a man was seen lying on railway lines in the vicinity of Estreham Road.
Officers liaised with Network Rail and colleagues in British Transport Police to get the power to the lines turned off.
As soon as the lines were confirmed safe, officers and paramedics approached the man who was sadly pronounced dead at the scene. His next of kin have been informed, the force said.
Officers from the Met's Directorate of Professional Standards have also been informed about the incident.
The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) declared this an independent investigation.
A spokesperson for the IOPC said: "We can confirm the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) has begun an investigation after a man died following a pursuit by Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) officers.
"At around 3.26am on Wednesday June 14 we understand a car failed to stop for MPS officers in the Streatham area.
"We were advised by the MPS that an authorised pursuit began involving a marked and an unmarked police car, and the car being pursued.
"Shortly afterwards the car apparently collided with a garden fence in Brunswick Mews and two male passengers were detained by officers.
"The driver made off from the car and was pursued on foot by officers. We have been told he climbed a fence onto a railway line where, sadly, his body was spotted by police helicopter.
"After being notified by the MPS, we sent our investigators to the scene and the post incident procedures to begin gathering evidence."
