Two boys, 12 and 16, arrested after 'crashing stolen car into taxi'

A 12-year-old boy and his 16-year-old friend have been arrested after their stolen car collided with a taxi. 

The two-vehicle crash happened at the junction of Winterbottom Avenue and Warren Road in Hartlepool, County Durham, just before 5.25am on Sunday morning. 

The collision involved a red Ford Ka, which had been reported stolen overnight, and a Mercedes Vito taxi.

The Ka collided with the Vito before both vehicles struck a pedestrian barrier, after which someone ran from the scene before police officers arrived, it is understood. 

Two occupants of the Ka, a 12-year-old boy and a 16-year-old boy, sustained injuries, with the older boy losing consciousness and several teeth.

The younger boy sustained cuts and bruises, and both were taken to the University Hospital of North Tees.

The pair have been arrested on suspicion of several driving offences and will be questioned.

The 49-year-old man driving the Mercedes sustained a head injury and remains at the same hospital, where he is receiving treatment.

Cleveland Police said: 'We would appeal for anyone with information or any relevant doorbell, dash cam or private CCTV footage who has not yet spoken to police to contact us on the 101 number or via the Cleveland Police website.'