Two teenagers were killed in the early hours of Saturday morning after they attempted to speed away from police in Durban's Amanzimtoti suburb, police said.

Police spokesperson Superintendent Muzi Mngomezulu said that while details were not clear, police had noticed the vehicle driving eratically.

When they attempted to stop the vehicle it sped away with police in hot pursuit. The driver swerved into the oncoming lane and in a bid to avoid the traffic lost control of the car.

He was killed as was one of his passengers. Mngomezulu said the driver was 17-years old and the passenger was 18-years old.

Netcare 911 spokesperson Chris Botha said another three people were taken to hospital while a fourth person was treated at the accident scene.

One of the three taken to hospital was in a critical condition.

Sapa