Three Britons killed fleeing Dutch police

Three Britons died and a fourth was fighting for his life in a Dutch hospital today after a high-speed crash while escaping from police.

Two men, a 25-year-old and a 28-year-old both from Liverpool, were taken from the crash site in Driel in the early hours of Saturday.

They were allegedly involved with three others who blew up a cash machine at a supermarket in Driel and then fled along the A12 motorway.

Their car overturned as officers pursued.

A 21-year-old Liverpudlian died at the scene.

A 25-year-old, from London, died later that day, according to Dutch police.

And a 27-year-old, also from Liverpool, died in hospital yesterday.

A police spokesman said: "It all started at 3am on Saturday when we got a call about a robbery at an ATM machine at a supermarket in the small village of Driel, not far from Arnhem.

"The men moved rapidly.

"We started a pursuit but it all ended very soon - moments after it began.

"Half an hour later it was reported there was a car crash in the centre of the Netherlands.

"There were five people in the car and there were lots of similarities with the people seen in Driel.

"One man died instantly, the other man died later that day and the third man died yesterday.

"The other two are being treated in hospital near Utrecht.

"We were not able to have a decent conversation with the gentlemen - they were badly injured.

"We hope to speak to them soon.

"We want to know what five men from Britain are doing in the small village of Driel.

"We hope to hear from them soon but at the moment they are not physically able to comment.

"One man is under arrest for theft but the other person was not fit enough to know he was going to be arrested.

"Thousands of euros were taken but we cannot give the exact amount.

"We deny a link between the pursuit causing the crash."

Money, covered in anti-theft dye, was recovered inside the car with the men.

A Foreign Office spokesman said: "Five British Nationals were involved in a road traffic accident on Saturday morning in the town of Driel, Netherlands.

"We can confirm the death of three British nationals and the hospitalisation of two British nationals.

"The local police are investigating the incident. We are providing consular assistance to those involved."