The Independent Office for Police Conduct is investigating the incident
19:43, 16 Jun 2025Updated 19:43, 16 Jun 2025
(Image: JMG Press)
A regulator has opened an investigation following a police chase which ended in a horror crash.
The “short pursuit” happened on June 5 and ended when a police car collided with two other vehicles which were being driven by members of the public, with one passenger critically injured.
After the collision the suspected driver “made off”, with a huge emergency services response descending on the scene on Drake Street in Rochdale at around 6.15pm on June 6.
Join the Manchester Evening News WhatsApp group HERE
A 19-year-old man has also been arrested on suspicion of causing serious injury by dangerous driving and failing to stop at the scene of a collision.
Now, the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) has opened an investigation into the crash, the organisation confirmed.
In a statement shared with the Manchester Evening News, an IOPC spokesperson said: “Following a referral from Greater Manchester Police (GMP) we started an independent investigation into the circumstances of a serious road traffic collision on Drake Street in Rochdale.
A cordon was put in place on Drake Street (Image: JMG Press)
“We were notified by the force that a car collided with two other vehicles being driven by members of the public on Thursday 5 June at 6.15pm and that a police vehicle had been involved in a short pursuit prior to the incident.
“A passenger in the rear of the pursued vehicle suffered life-threatening injuries and remains in hospital.”
They added: “IOPC investigators were sent to attend the scene and the police post incident procedures to begin gathering evidence. We declared an independent investigation on Friday 5 June.
(Image: JMG Press)
“Our thoughts are with all those affected.”
In a statement released at the time of the collision, a spokesperson for Greater Manchester Police said: “At around 6.15pm today, officers approached a suspicious vehicle on Drake Street, Rochdale.
“The vehicle subsequently made off from police and after a short pursuit, collided with another vehicle.
“The suspected driver made off and a passenger in the vehicle sustained serious, life-threatening injuries. One person from another vehicle received minor injuries.”