THREE teenagers are in custody after a 90mph chase narrowly avoided a fatal crash.

The men, aged 17 and 16, were arrested after a high-speed chase involving a 4x4 blue Mitsubishi Shogun last night through Liddington and along The Ridgeway.

The car, carrying five teenagers, then crashed into a van while going round the A419 Commonhead roundabout at speeds estimated to be between 60 and 70mph.

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The vehicle flipped upside down and five suspects all tried to flee the scene before members of the public ran to help arrest them.

Two 17-year-olds and one 16-year-old male, all from Swindon, were treated for minor injuries at Great Western Hospital before they were arrested on suspicion of aggravated vehicle taking.

The officer involved in the pursuit said: “I have been a police officer for 12 years I have been involved in lots of pursuits.

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“The incident tonight whilst short was the most dangerous driving I have seen in years.

“I cannot fathom how there was not a crash as we passed though Liddington. The result of such a crash with the heavy 4x4 going head on at 90mph to another vehicle would have surely been fatal.”

PC Gerald Clifton, from Tri-Force Roads Policing, said: “I would like to thank the public-spirited passers-by who stopped to assist this police officer, who was on his own trying to deal with a potentially volatile situation and apprehend five suspects.

“Their help meant he was able to make three arrests

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“Our enquiries are obviously now continuing and we are trying to locate the other two suspects.

“We would urge anyone who was in the area at the time, particularly anyone who may have dash cam footage of the 4x4 before it crashed, the collision itself, or the two suspects fleeing the scene, to contact police immediately.”

Anyone with information can call 101 or call Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.