The accident occurred around 11pm in Strängnäs, about 50 kilometres west of Stockholm, when the young pair’s car hit a police vehicle head-on.

“There was ice on the road. The cars have approached from opposite directions and one car has slid,” explained Mårten Eskilsson of the Eskilstuna and Strängnäs emergency services to the Expressen newspaper.

A 26-year-old woman from Strängnäs and 28-year-old man from Linköping died in the crash.

“The car caught fire and two people died, but we don’t know yet whether it was the collision or the fire that caused their death,” said Mikael Thörn of the local police.

The police officers had minor injuries and were taken to hospital.

“They were conscious when the emergency services arrived on the scene. They are shocked, of course, but it appears as if their injuries are minor,” Thörn told the paper.

The two victims of the accident are reported to have lost control of their car on the slippery road, skidding onto the opposite side of the street and colliding with the police car.

The officers, who were on their way back to the station to finish their shift, were unable to avoid the oncoming car as they were passing under a bridge.

“It’s sad when this happens. Everyone at the police station finds it tough,” said Thörn to the paper.

TT/The Local/og

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