POLICE have asked people to stop sharing videos of distressing footage from a fatal car crash on social media.

Shortly before 4.15am on Friday a white Audi S3 had collided with a house on Chichester Road in South Shields.

Emergency services attended but the driver, a 25-year-old man, was pronounced dead at the scene.

A female passenger was taken to hospital with life threatening injuries.

She remains there and her condition is described as critical but stable.

Another man, a passenger, left the scene of the collision but was later found in hospital with serious injuries.

Nobody inside the house was injured but significant damage was caused.

Enquiries into the collision are ongoing but, despite speculation on social media, police do not at this stage believe any other vehicles were involved.

An 18-year-old man was arrested as part of the investigation but he has been released with no further action and is now being treated as a witness.

Sergeant Dave Roberts, of Northumbria Police is appealing for any witnesses to get in touch.

He has also called on the public to respect the privacy of the man who died, after distressing videos of the scene were shared on social media.

Sgt Roberts said: “This has been a devastating day for the family of the young man who has lost his life in this collision, and for the families of those injured.

“We will continue to offer them support at what is an incredibly difficult time for them and we would ask the public respect their privacy.

“As part of our investigation we have become aware of a video that was taken of the scene in the immediate aftermath of the collision.

“This was shared on Snapchat and contained very distressing images of those involved. It is difficult to comprehend why someone would even choose to film this.

“We know this video has been widely shared but I want to make it clear that sharing this video could constitute a criminal offence.

“Please think about the impact it will have on the families of those involved in the crash and indeed anyone else who may find themselves watching it.

“Our enquiries will continue over the weekend and we do still need any witnesses to come forward and speak to police.

“This has been a fast-moving investigation and we are now confident that no other vehicles have been involved in the collision.

“A young man was arrested and this has led to speculation that another vehicle was responsible but we do not believe that to be the case.

“If you do have information about what has happened, or know anything that may help us, then please pick up the phone and call police.”

Chichester Road was closed between the junctions of Westoe Road and Dean Road but it has since been re-opened.

Anyone with information is asked to contact 101 quoting reference 85 24/01/20 or via the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.