Man dies and woman critically injured after crash following police pursuit
A man has died and a woman is critically injured after a crash following a police pursuit in Warwickshire.
Officers attempted to stop a black Audi on Birmingham Road in Stratford at around 5.23pm on Monday, but the vehicle failed to stop and made off in the direction of the A46, Warwickshire Police said. The driver of the car then travelled back towards Stratford on the A439 Warwick Road before the Audi was in a collision with a white Ford Puma at around 5.44pm following a police pursuit lasting around six minutes. The male driver of the Audi was pronounced dead at the scene by paramedics, while the Ford driver, a woman in her 70s, was taken to hospital where she remains in a critical condition. Another woman, who was a passenger in the second car, suffered potentially serious injuries which are not believed to be life-threatening, West Midlands Ambulance Service (WMAS) said. Warwickshire Police said their families have been informed and are being offered specialist support. A number of other vehicles were also damaged during the pursuit. Superintendent Steve Flavell said: “Our thoughts are with the families of everyone involved in this collision and we’re providing specialist support to them at this extremely difficult time. “We made a mandatory referral to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) because a death had occurred following police contact. “They have declared an independent investigation and we will co-operate fully with their investigation.” A spokesman for the IOPC said their investigation into the involvement of Warwickshire Police prior to the fatal collision was at an early stage. The pursuit lasted for around six minutes before the crash. They said: “We were notified by the force at 7.40pm and IOPC investigators attended the police post-incident procedure to begin gathering information. We declared an independent investigation at 9.38pm. “We understand that the driver of a black Audi A3 failed to stop for police and was then pursued for around six minutes before the vehicle was involved in a collision with a car being driven by a member of the public. “The male driver of the Audi sustained fatal injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene. “The driver of the other car, a woman in her 70s, was taken to hospital with life-threatening injuries. “Our investigation is at an early stage.” WMAS said it sent two ambulances, three paramedic officers, the Warwickshire and Northamptonshire Air Ambulance and the Midlands Air Ambulance to the scene. A spokeswoman said: “Upon arrival we found three patients. Firstly a man who was the driver of the first car who was in a critical condition. He received advanced life support and advanced trauma care at the scene. “Despite their best efforts, it became clear that nothing more could be done to save him and he was confirmed deceased by ambulance staff at the scene. “Secondly, a woman who was the driver of the second car was assessed and had sustained life-threatening injuries. “She received advanced trauma care and advanced life support from ambulance staff at the scene before being conveyed to University Hospital Coventry and Warwickshire by air ambulance for further treatment. “The second woman who was a passenger in the second car had sustained potentially serious injuries which were not believed to be life threatening. “She received treatment at the scene before being conveyed to Warwickshire Hospital by land.”
Published: by Radio NewsHub