Police watchdog appeals for witnesses following fatal crash 

The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) is appealing for witnesses after a fatal collision involving Met police officers last month.

The collision happened at around 4.50pm on June 17, when officers in a marked police car were involved in a crash with a moped rider at the junction of Wrythe Lane and Erskine Road in Carshalton.

The moped rider, a 55-year-old man, died at the scene. His family have been informed.

A post-mortem examination was held last week and the preliminary cause of death was blunt force trauma to the man’s head and torso. A date for an inquest to be opened has yet to be set. 

The IOPC began an investigation following a referral from the Met. 

The watchdog gathered evidence including the police officer’s accounts, house to house inquiries, a CCTV trawl of the area and a review of the body-worn video footage from the officers involved.

IOPC regional director Mel Palmer said: “Our thoughts are with the family and friends of the motorcyclist and all those affected by this tragic incident. Our role is to independently establish the circumstances surrounding this incident.

“IOPC investigators have already gathered a significant amount of evidence and have established that there were several people standing at a bus stop near to the scene of the incident. 

“We would particularly like these people to make contact with us, as well as any other witnesses or drivers near the scene with dashcam footage.

“We are also appealing for anyone who witnessed any part of the incident to contact us as soon as possible by calling 0300 303 5585 or emailing wrythelane@policeconduct.gov.uk.”

Picture: New Scotland Yard (Picture: The Met)