Eltham crash: Van driver charged over death of elderly couple during police chase

Ben Ord charged with two counts of causing death by dangerous driving

A man and woman in their 70s died after the Citroen C3 car they were traveling in (right) was hit by a Ford Transit van which was being pursued by police (PA)

A man has been charged causing the death of an elderly couple in a crash while he was being chased by police.

The man and woman, both in their 70s, were driving through Eltham in south-east London when their car collided with a Ford Transit.

They were pronounced dead at the scene shortly after midnight on Saturday.

The driver of the van was arrested at the scene on suspicion of driving whilst over the alcohol limit, driving while unfit through drugs and death by dangerous driving, before he was taken to hospital.

On Sunday, Ben Ord was charged with two counts of causing death by dangerous driving.

The 41-year-old, of Eltham, has been remanded in custody to appear at Bromley Magistrates’ Court on Monday.

The Metropolitan Police said the van had failed to stop for officers and collided with a Citroen C3 car on Footscray Road.

“The London Ambulance Service and London Fire Brigade were called to the scene,” a spokesperson added.

“Despite the efforts of emergency services, the male and female occupants of the car, both believed to be aged in their 70s, were pronounced deceased at the scene.”

Their next of kin have been informed and Scotland Yard’s directorate of professional standards has been informed.

Sir Stephen House, deputy commissioner of the Metropolitan Police, said: “Whilst this collision and the circumstances surrounding it will be investigated, I, on behalf of the Metropolitan Police Service, extend sincere condolences to the family and friends of the two people who died as a result of this incident. Our thoughts are with them at this time.”

The Independent Office for Police Conduct said it was investigating the incident, and had sent officials to gather evidence from the scene and officers involved.

It came a fortnight after a pregnant teenager and her husband died after their car hit a coach head-on following a police pursuit.

Patrick McDonagh, 19, and wife Shauna, 18, were speeding on the wrong side of the A40 in Acton at the time, an inquest heard.

Officers started the chase in the mistaken belief they had been involved in a burglary, but had called off the pursuit shortly before the crash on 10 February.