Two cousins have been identified as the men killed in a horror crash when their car burst into flames following a high-speed chase by police on a highway in Sydney’s inner west.
Seifeddine Malas and Jebriel Dandan were driving an Audi at speeds in excess of 200 km/h when it crashed through a railing and plunged 20 meters down onto the M4 motorway.
WATCH VIDEO ABOVE: Two cousins dead after high-speed chase that ended on the M4.
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The vehicle ignited on impact with the highway as shocked witnesses attempted to free the men from the fiery wreckage.
The drama began when police patrolled Centenary Drive in Strathfield around 12.30am on Tuesday and attempted to stop the driver of a silver Audi.
However, the vehicle failed to stop, leading to a 2 km police chase in which a police vehicle reached speeds of 190 km/h while the Audi was clocked at over 200 km/h.
The chase ended on the southbound slip road to the M4 motorway in Homebush, where the Audi burst into flames after crashing through a railing.
“When the vehicle went through the Armco railing it traveled about 20 meters through some vegetation before coming to rest on its roof,” Acting Assistant Commissioner Adam Whyte said on Tuesday.
A passing officer and two police students and members of the public tried to free Malas and Dandan from the burning wreckage, but both men died on the spot.
“They went back a number of times to try and get these individuals out of the vehicle despite the heat and fire,” Whyte said.
“Their efforts were absolutely courageous and admirable, but to no avail.”
Malas and Dandan’s relatives consoled each other at Auburn police station after identifying the bodies on Tuesday.
Whyte said the vehicle’s “excessive” speed will be part of the investigation.
“It’s amazing that no other vehicles were hit.”
7NEWS reports that Malas should not have been behind the wheel as he was banned from driving until 2025.
A critical incident team will investigate the circumstances of the crash.
Police said the investigation will be subject to an independent review.
“Incidents like this where people get hurt or killed on the road are not necessary,” Whyte said.
