Two officers among seven killed in UK Police pursuit crash

Seven people, including two police officers, have died after a marked police vehicle collided with a car travelling the wrong way on a dual carriageway in Teesside, United Kingdom.

The crash happened at about 03:39 BST on the A66 in South Bank, near Middlesbrough, during a police pursuit involving what officers described as a “suspicious” vehicle.

According to Cleveland Police, the collision involved a marked police vehicle and a Volkswagen Passat. All occupants of both vehicles were pronounced dead at the scene.

The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC), which oversees investigations involving the police, said Cleveland Police had spotted the suspicious vehicle before a pursuit began.

Chief Constable Victoria Fuller expressed condolences to the families of those killed, including the two officers.

“No one should leave their home and not return safely, including police officers serving their communities and protecting the people of Cleveland,” she said.

She described the incident as a tragedy that would be felt throughout the local community and the wider policing service.

The North East Ambulance Service said it sent 14 emergency resources to the scene. Despite efforts by emergency responders, several people died at the site of the crash.

The A66, a major route through Teesside, was closed in both directions following the collision. Police said the road was expected to remain closed for the rest of the day while emergency services and investigators worked at the scene.

Motorists were advised to use alternative routes.

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The IOPC has launched an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the crash, including the events leading up to the pursuit.

The watchdog said it was still in the early stages of gathering information and urged people not to speculate about what happened.

Local MP Anna Turley described the incident as “deeply saddening” and offered her condolences to the families and emergency workers affected.

The investigation is expected to examine the police pursuit and the circumstances surrounding the vehicles’ collision.

Seven people, including two police officers, have died after a marked police vehicle collided with a car travelling the wrong way on a dual carriageway in Teesside, UK.

The crash happened at about 03:39 BST on the A66 in South Bank, near Middlesbrough, during a police pursuit involving what officers described as a “suspicious” vehicle.

Cleveland Police said the collision involved a marked police vehicle and a Volkswagen Passat. All occupants of both vehicles were pronounced dead at the scene.

The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC), which oversees investigations involving the police, said Cleveland Police had spotted the suspicious vehicle before a pursuit began.

Chief Constable Victoria Fuller expressed condolences to the families of those killed, including the two officers.

“No one should leave their home and not return safely, including police officers serving their communities and protecting the people of Cleveland,” she said.

She described the incident as a tragedy that would be felt throughout the local community and the wider policing service.

The North East Ambulance Service said it sent 14 emergency resources to the scene. Despite efforts by emergency responders, several people died at the site of the crash.

The A66, a major route through Teesside, was closed in both directions following the collision. Police said the road was expected to remain closed for the rest of the day while emergency services and investigators worked at the scene.

Motorists were advised to use alternative routes.

The IOPC has launched an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the crash, including the events leading up to the pursuit.

The watchdog said it was still in the early stages of gathering information and urged people not to speculate about what happened.

Local MP Anna Turley described the incident as “deeply saddening” and offered her condolences to the families and emergency workers affected.

(BBC News)