Crash victims likely to be named today

Two men who died after a high-speed police chase in the Bay of Plenty are expected to be formally identified and named today.

The driver and his passenger died when their four-wheel drive vehicle refused to stop for police and was pursued near Te Puke.

The pursuit was called off twice because police said it was getting too dangerous but the vehicle was later found to have left the road and hit a tree in Te Puke, 20km from Tauranga.

Police said the driver had taken "extreme actions" to evade them.

Next of kin were expected to identify the two victims today and when that had been done the names would be released.

Police have launched their own inquiry and also notified the Independent Police Conduct Authority.

- NZPA