West Midlands Police is under investigation after a van driver died in a crash in Sutton Coldfield
A van driver died in a crash in Lindridge Road in Sutton Coldfield after ‘failing to stop’ for police (Image: Google )
The UK police watchdog has launched a probe into West Midlands Police’s conduct after a van driver died in a crash in Sutton Coldfield.
The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) said it was told by the force that a Volkswagen van driver had ‘failed to stop’ for officers on patrol at around 11.40pm on Thursday, May 22.
It said the vehicle later overturned at the junction of Lindridge Road and Springfield Road.
READ MORE: Van driver dies in Sutton Coldfield crash after failing to stop for police
The van driver, a 35-year-old man, was given CPR by officers at the scene before paramedics arrived at began giving treatment.
He was pronounced dead at the scene a short time later.
West Midlands Police referred itself to the IOPC following the incident.
The police watchdog said it was in the early stages of its investigation into the force’s conduct.
An IOPC spokesperson told BirminghamLive this morning: “We have begun an investigation into the actions of West Midlands Police prior to a fatal road collision in Birmingham.
“We understand that, at around 11.40pm on May 22, a Volkswagen van failed to stop for a mobile patrol in Sutton Coldfield and soon afterwards overturned at the junction of Lindridge Road and Springfield Road.
“An ambulance attended and the van driver, a man in his 30s, was treated by paramedics but sadly his death was confirmed a short time later.
“Our investigation follows a referral from West Midlands Police and is in its very early stages.
“Our sympathies are with the family of the man who died and we will be in contact with them to explain our role and how our inquiries will be progressed.”
A spokesman for West Midlands Police previously said: “A man has died following a collision in Sutton Coldfield late last night.
“The 35-year-old man was the driver of a van which failed to stop for officers moments before crashing in Lindridge Road near to the junction of Springfield Road, just before midnight last night.
“Despite the best efforts of the officers – who began CPR before ambulance colleagues arrived – the man sadly died a short time later.
“The road was closed while emergency services and investigators established the circumstances of the collision.
“The matter has been referred to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) as is normal procedure.
“Anyone with information or dash cam footage can contact us via Live Chat on our website or by calling 101 quoting log 6015 of 22 May.
“Or contact the team directly by emailing: sciu@westmidlands.police.uk.”