No watchdog probe of police-chase crash

Updated 22.28 Fri Jul 18 2008

Keywords: Durham, fatal, A1, police, chase, crash

Police officers who were pursuing and trying to stop a stolen vehicle when it was involved in a fatal crash on a motorway followed the correct procedures, investigators have said.

The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) said it would not be investigating the collision, which happened as officers in cars and a force helicopter pursued a Mitsubishi along the A1(M) near Durham at 5.40am.

The Independent Police Complaints Commission said it would not be investigating the collision, which happened as officers in cars and a force helicopter pursued a Mitsubishi along the A1(M) near Durham

As traffic officers attempted to stop the 4x4 truck, it flipped over the motorway central reservation and a hit a Peugeot, which was travelling south.

The driver of the Peugeot 306 suffered severe injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene.

IPCC investigators were sent to the site of the crash, near the southbound slip road of the A1(M) at junction 61.

A spokesman said: "The investigators have completed a thorough and independent assessment of all the available information.

"On the basis of the information we have seen the IPCC is confident that the officers involved observed all necessary policies and procedures during the pursuit and the attempted stop of the stolen vehicle.

"As a result, the IPCC is content for Durham Constabulary to complete the investigation into the matter."