A TRAINEE solicitor from Oakwood has been killed in a tragic accident after she was knocked down by a stolen BMW being chased by police.

Natalie Forde, 26, was returning home early on Saturday morning, when the taxi she was in is believed to have pulled in to the side of Bowes Road, near the junction with Brownlow Road, for her to use a cash machine.

As she got out of the car, the BMW being tailed by police crashed into the central reservation traffic lights and the Citroen taxi, also killing the driver, Aden Yusuf Gure, 46, from the Wemb-ley area, who was still in the car.

A man in his late twenties was seriously injured after being hit by the car. He is in a West London hospital in a stable condition.

Police said that a short time earlier a marked patrol car on Pretoria Road, Haringey, had attempted to speak to the driver and two passengers in the BMW, but it had made off at speed.

Police gave chase but say they lost sight of the car on the A406 North Circular before arriving at the scene of the incident.

The three occupants of the BMW were all taken to hospital with serious injuries.

A 17-year-old male was arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving, as well as for burglary and theft in relation to the car. A 16-year-old male and 19-year-old girl have also been arrested for offences related to the car. All suspects will be questioned when they are discharged from hospital.

Bouquets of flowers were placed at the side of the North Circular over the weekend in tribute to Ms Forde.

One card read: "Thank you for being so special and precious. I will miss you always."

Ms Forde was rushed to North Middlesex University Hospital after the collision but was pronounced dead just after 2am on Saturday morning.

An inquest was opened at Hornsey Coroner's Court on Monday, confirming that the two victims had died as a result of injuries sustained in the collision.

In a tribute to Mr Gure, a card at the scene read: "Dear Aden Gure, may you rest in peace, I am so sad you had to die as well. Love from Natalie's mum, Teresa."

Detective Chief Inspector David McDonald-Payne, from the Collision Investigation Unit, said: "I would like to appeal to anyone who was in the area at the time of this collision, who may have seen or heard anything, to please call on 020 8785 8738."

The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) is managing an investigation by the Metropolitan Police into their involvement in the collision.

IPCC Commissioner David Petch said: "I have decided the IPCC should manage an investigation into the way the police conducted their pursuit of the BMW, in order to ensure that it was in line with agreed policy and procedure."