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Stratford pursuit crash
A man died and a woman was critically injured after a police pursuit near Stratford-upon-Avon in Warwickshire, when officers tried to stop a black Audi on Birmingham Road and the driver failed to pull over.
“A man has died and two women have been injured in a crash after a police pursuit near Stratford-upon-Avon”
The Audi then made off in the direction of the A46 before travelling back towards Stratford on the A439 Warwick Road, where it collided with a white Ford Puma at 5.44pm on Monday.
Warwickshire Police said the male driver of the Audi was confirmed dead at the scene by paramedics, while the Ford driver was taken to hospital in critical condition.
The police watchdog Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) launched an independent investigation after Warwickshire Police made a mandatory referral because a death occurred following police contact.
Supt Steve Flavell said, "We made a mandatory referral to the IOPC because a death had occurred following police contact."
IOPC and emergency response
The IOPC said its investigation was at an early stage and that investigators attended the police post-incident procedure to begin gathering information after being notified at 7.40pm.
The BBC reported that paramedics found four patients in total at the scene, including a man in a critical condition to whom crews gave advanced life support before he was confirmed deceased by ambulance staff.
The BBC also said the woman driving the second car suffered life-threatening injuries and was taken to hospital in a critical condition, while a female passenger was seriously hurt but not thought to be life-threatening.
Warwickshire Police said a number of other cars were damaged during the pursuit, and the crash led to Warwick Road being closed from the Marraway roundabout to its junction with Ingon Lane and Sand Barn Lane before reopening.
The IOPC spokesperson said, "We declared an independent investigation at 9.38pm."
Local politics and road changes
Liberal Democrat MP for Stratford-on-Avon Manuela Perteghella said the incident was "incredibly tragic" and urged that "We must now let the investigation take its course."
“Manuela Perteghella, Liberal Democrat MP for Stratford-on-Avon, said the incdent was "incredibly tragic"”
The BBC said works were carried out on Warwick Road two years ago to reduce the number of crashes in the area, including a one-way system, a lowered speed limit and a protected turning lane at the Ingon Lane junction.
The BBC added that street lighting was boosted to improve visibility for crossing pedestrians at Fisherman's Car Park, tying the crash location to recent changes on the road.
AOL.co.uk said new road markings were painted on Birmingham Road last year and that the changes meant drivers had to cross two lanes of traffic when turning right onto Justins Avenue.
AOL.co.uk quoted the IOPC spokesperson saying, "We understand that the driver of a black Audi A3 failed to stop for police and was then pursued for around six minutes".