THE Police Complaints Authority (PCA) is supervising inquiries into a crash near Tadcaster in which 21-year-old Mark William Beal, of Lumby, near South Milford, died and two others were injured.

The horrific crash happened on the A612 at Scarthingwell crossroads at 11pm on Thursday, as the blue Subaru Impreza carrying the men was travelling from Sherburn-in-Elmet towards Tadcaster.

Yesterday, it was revealed that police had been alerted to look out for the vehicle and had sighted it several times before the crash.

It is understood that the accident happened as the car negotiated a bend by Scarthingwell Golf Course and the vehicle flipped over several times.

Within hours of the crash, North Yorkshire Police had voluntarily called in the PCA.

Deputy PCA chairman Ian Bynoe explained: "We will oversee the investigation to provide reassurance that it is conducted fairly and thoroughly."

He gave his condolences to the dead man's family.

Updated: 10:36 Saturday, January 04, 2003