Manchester City footballer Courtney Meppen-Walter arrested over crash deaths

Manchester City footballer Courtney Meppen-Walter has been arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving after two people died in a collision last night, sources confirmed today.

The 18-year-old was arrested after a silver Mercedes and a red Nissan Micra collided in north Manchester, leaving a 32-year-old man and a 37-year-old woman dead and two teenagers, believed to be 15 and 16, with serious head injuries.

It is believed that Meppen-Walter was driving the Mercedes. The 32-year-old man was driving the Micra with the 37-year-old woman in the front passenger seat and the two teenagers in the back, Greater Manchester Police said.

A second man, aged 19, who was driving a grey Volkswagen Golf, was also arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving.

At around 10.15pm yesterday police were called to Bury New Road at its junction with Sherborne Street following reports of a collision.

Officers attended and the 32-year-old man and 37-year-old woman were pronounced dead at the scene while the teenagers were taken to Hope Hospital, where they remain.

A Manchester City spokeswoman said: "It is a devastating tragedy for this family and also for the Greater Manchester community at large. Manchester City Football Club offers its heartfelt condolences to the family and all affected by the events of yesterday evening.

"The situation is subject to an extensive investigation by Greater Manchester Police and therefore we are unable to make specific comment on the incident itself at this time."

Sources said that Meppen-Walter, who was born in Bury, Greater Manchester, was driving a "low-powered" Mercedes at the time of the collision.

The defender joined City in July 2010, according to the club's website.

The youth-team player has been a regular in the England under-17 side, according to the website.

PA