Young man dies after police chase in Melbourne’s north

Police say they believe it was “safe” to continue to pursue a man in his twenties, after a fatal pursuit in Melbourne’s north.

The young man crashed into a power pole and died after police gave chase when he was spotted with false number plates.

The driver of the station wagon was sighted by police on Sydney Road in Coburg North around 8.30pm last night.

Police said the chase only lasted a few minutes before the driver attempted to overtake a taxi making a right-hand turn on Sussex Street.

The two cars collided, causing the station wagon to leave the road and hit a pole.

Emergency services were called but the driver died at the scene.

“I’m advised at this stage that we are satisfied it was safe to continue the pursuit,” Victoria Police Assistant Commissioner Shane Patton told 9NEWS.

The driver of the taxi suffered minor injuries.

The Professional Standards Command will investigate.