A MAN has died and four people are in hospital after a four-car pile-up in Newbury Park.

The 69-year-old, a passenger in a green Citroen Picasso, was pronounced dead at the scene.

A post-mortem is due to be held this morning at East Ham Mortuary.

Four cars collided in Eastern Avenue, close to Newbury Park station, at just before 4pm on Saturday.

The 61-year-old woman driver of the Citroen and a second male passenger, understood to be in his 60s, were both taken to hospital.

The driver has since been discharged but the male passenger remains in hospital in a stable condition.

Three passengers in a blue Ford Focus, two women and a man, are still in hospital in a stable condition.

Police believe they know the identity of the dead man, but are waiting for formal identification and confirmation next of kin have been informed.

Officers from the Road Death Investigation Unit at Chadwell Heath Traffic Garage are investigating the accident.

Anyone who witnessed the collision is asked to call police on 020 8597 4874.

A 26-year-old man arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving has been bailed to return to an east London police station in May, pending further inquiries.