‘Several lifeless’ after Volkswagen crashes into police automotive after chase on main A-road
An investigation has been launched into a crash which killed several people following a police pursuit in the early hours of Saturday morning, the police watchdog said
Police at the scene(Image: Iain Buist/Newcastle Chronicle)
Several people have died in a car crash after a police chase in the early hours of Saturday morning. The horror crash happened between a police care and Volkswagen Passat on the A66 in South Bank, near Middlesbrough in Teesside.
Emergency services rushed to the scene at around about 3.39am on Saturday. The A66 is closed in both directions between Normanby Road and Church Lane in Eston.
There is a huge emergency response at the scene and people should use alternative routes as the road “will remain closed for some time”, police said. An investigation has been launched by the police watchdog, the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC).
The scene in Teesside
Officers from Cleveland Police spotted a suspicious vehicle and a pursuit began before the car travelled onto the A66 and collided with a police car at 3.39am, the watchdog said.
A Cleveland Police spokesperson said: “Around 3.39am this morning, a collision took place involving a police vehicle and a Volkswagen Passat on the A66 in South Bank.
“Sadly, the collision has resulted in multiple fatalities. There are significant emergency vehicles on the scene and the road will remain closed for some time. The public are asked to use alternative routes.
Several people have died in the horror(Image: Iain Buist/Newcastle Chronicle)
“We are working to identify the victims and contact their families. This is a quickly-evolving incident and we ask that members of the public respectfully avoid speculation.”
A spokesperson for Cleveland Fire Brigade added: “Cleveland Fire Brigade is currently attending a road traffic collision on the westbound carriageway of the A66 South Bank area. Please avoid the area if you can.”
A spokesperson for North East Ambulance Service said: “We were called to a serious road traffic incident involving three vehicles on the A66 at South Bank at 3.39am on August 22.
A huge police presence remains at the scene(Image: Ian Buist/Teesside Live)
“We sent 14 ambulance resources at the scene, including emergency ambulance crews, a specialist paramedic, our hazardous area response team and a doctor from Great North Air Ambulance Service.
“Sadly, despite the best efforts of everyone attending, a number of patients died at the scene. We send condolences to all of those affected by such a tragic event and thank everyone for all they did to help.”
Anna Turley, MP for the Redcar constituency where the crash happened, said: “I am deeply saddened to hear of the fatal collision on the A66 this morning.
“My thoughts are with the families and loved ones of those who have lost their lives, and with everyone affected by this terrible incident. Thank you to all of our emergency services, who have worked through the night responding to this devastating incident.”
IOPC director of investigations Nicola Marfleet said: “This is a tragic incident, and my thoughts are with family and friends and all those affected, including the emergency services in attendance.”
She added investigators have been sent to start reviewing evidence, and the watchdog is cooperating with Cleveland Police to establish the circumstances of the collision.
The horror comes less than a week after five teenagers died in Ireland after failing to stop for cops and driving the wrong way down a motorway.
