Man dead and six injured in police chase car crash

A driver of a car being chased by Met cops died after a crash with two other cars on Friday night.

Six people who were in the two other vehicles were injured in the collision in Wickham Road, Croydon, close to the junction with Shirley Road, at around 9pm.

The 63-year-old man who died was suspected of using cloned number plates on his car.

His two passengers, both men aged 61, were arrested on suspicion of being carried in a stolen vehicle. One was also arrested for possession of class A drugs. Both remain in custody, police said.

The incident began at around 8.38pm when Met cops were in pursuit of a car which had failed to stop near Beulah Hill.

Six minutes later, the car crashed into two cars in Wickham Road, Croydon.

A man was given CPR by officers, but he died at the scene. His next of kin has been informed.

The Met’s Directorate of Professional Standards was informed of the incident and a referral was made to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) – a required step whenever vehicles are involved in a collision involving death or serious injury following a police pursuit.

The police watchdog is appealing for witnesses as it investigates the fatal crash.

IOPC director Amanda Rowe said: “Our thoughts are with the man’s family and friends and all those affected by the collision, particularly those who have been injured”.  

“Our role is to independently investigate the circumstances surrounding this incident and we are in the very early stages. This is a busy road in Croydon, and we would urge anyone who may have witnessed the incident or the moments leading up to it to come forward and report what they saw.”    

Witnesses are asked to contact IOPC investigators by calling 03003035732 or emailing WickhamRoadRTI@policeconduct.gov.uk     

(Picture: PxHere)