London, August 22 (QNA) - Seven people, including two police officers, have died in a collision between a police vehicle and another vehicle described as "suspicious" on the A66 in the South Bank area, near Middlesbrough in Teesside, eastern England, the UK Police said.

The police added that several people were killed in the collision, with their identities being established and their next of kin being notified.

The North East Ambulance Service said 14 ambulances were sent to the scene.

The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC), meanwhile, said it had opened an investigation into the crash, adding that Cleveland Police had spotted a suspicious vehicle and begun pursuing it.

The road was closed in both directions between Normanby Road and Church Lane, with police saying it was expected to remain closed for the rest of the day and advising motorists to use alternative routes. (QNA)