A POLICE investigation has been launched into the death of a Figheldean man following a car crash in Dorset on Friday evening.

Stuart Cross (24) died after the Ford Orion he was travelling in hit a pedestrian barrier at high speed in Poole and burst into flames, while it was being pursued by a marked police car.

Another occupant, a 21-year old man from Salisbury, was arrested and has since appeared before Bournemouth magistrates, charged with a number of serious driving offences.

The incident began at 6.48pm, when a police officer in a marked car pursued the Orion, after the officer saw it drive away from the scene of a minor collision with another car, near the town's civic centre.

Police also believe the occupants might earlier have been responsible for damaging a window at the Royal Oak Gas Tavern, in Poole's Skinner Street.

Minutes after the Orion was spotted by the police officer, it turned into Seaview Road, followed by the police car, where it left the carriageway and collided with the pedestrian barrier.

Mr Cross, who was travelling in the front passenger seat, sustained serious injuries and died at the scene, despite attempts to resuscitate him by the police officer and a member of the public.

He was a single man but was said to have idolised his baby daughter, Chelsea, who was only six weeks old when she died last August.

His family were this week said to be too distressed to speak about his death.

The two other occupants of the Orion fled after being pulled from their burning vehicle by the police officer, but were later detained.

One suffered serious but non-life threatening injuries and was treated at Poole Hospital.

The Police Complaints Authority has confirmed it will supervise the investigation into the circumstances surrounding the collision.

Chief Inspector Glen Chalk, head of Dorset police's road policing unit, said: "Our sympathies are with the family of the victim and I can assure them there will be a very thorough investigation.

"We do need to hear from anyone at all who has any information about any of these incidents, or who saw the Orion being driven between Skinner Street and Seaview Road."

Anyone with information is asked to call Dorset police on 01202 552099, or the anonymous Crimestoppers line, 0800 555111.