Teens die in inferno

Two teen brothers and a friend died in a Christchurch crash overnight on Sunday after fleeing police — and officers needed medical treatment after attempting to rescue. Police confirmed the teens were in a car stolen earlier that night and that the vehicle crashed into a tree, dislodging the fuel tank, which then ruptured and erupted into a “ball of fire”.

The stolen Mazda Familia was first seen speeding in central Christchurch at 11.13pm on Sunday, reaching speeds of more than 130kmh.

The driver was believed to be 16 while his brother and friend was 13.