Two men have been seriously injured after crashing into another car while being chased by police.

Officers believe the 19-year-old driver lost control of his silver VW Golf during the pursuit, causing him to skid into a parked taxi outside the Mae Ping Thai restaurant in South End.

The driver and his passenger, also 19, were chased by officers in a marked police car after failing to stop for them early on Sunday morning.

Witnesses said the driver had to be pulled from his car by police following the smash.

Both men were rushed to St George’s Hospital in Tooting as priorities with multiple injuries, a London Ambulance Service spokeswoman said.

Police cordoned off South End for several hours following the collision.

The driver of the Golf has been arrested for driving offences, including failing to stop, and released on police bail until March 6.