A 20-YEAR-OLD Huddersfield man has died in a stolen car crash.

And two other young men are in hospital after the early-morning horror in Birkby.

Police have appealed for witnesses to the incident and have launched a major investigation into the crash, which involved a stolen car.

The dead man has been identified, but police have not yet released his name.

Officers have broken news of the tragedy to his family.

They have confirmed that the silver Honda Jazz vehicle in which he died had been asked to stop by police shortly before it crashed in St John’s Road, near its junction with Blacker Road, at around 2.20am yesterday morning.

The Independent Police Complaints Commission is also aware of the crash, although it has not as yet launched an investigation.

Police have confirmed that the driver of the vehicle had been asked to stop by a police van at traffic lights shortly before the incident after it had been identified as a stolen vehicle.

The van was pursuing the car at the time of the crash, although it did not have its blue lights flashing.

The Honda overturned after it crashed into a parked car a few yards from the junction with Blacker Road and Wheathouse Road.

Fire crews from Huddersfield and Elland attended the scene. They had to cut down a tree and partially right the vehicle before the 20-year-old man could be cut free from the wreckage.

He was pronounced dead at the scene. His family have been notified and an inquest may open later this week.

Two other men aged 17 and 20 who were in the car were taken to Huddersfield Royal Infirmary.

They have been receiving treatment for what police describe as “non life-threatening injuries”.

St John’s Road was closed for several hours while police carried out investigations at the scene.

Many businesses closed for the day as people were unable to get through the police cordon.

Staff at Yorkshire Rose florists in St John’s Road could see the crash scene.

An assistant who asked not to be named said: “The car’s a real mess.

“We’ve been told the road may not open till later today. Some businesses have decided to close for the day because no-one can get through.

“We can see the car on its roof and another one nearby in quite a bad way.”

Inquiries into the incident are ongoing and any witnesses or anyone with any information are asked to contact West Yorkshire Police’s Major Collision Enquiry Team on 01924 293047.