Shropshire Star

The Independent Police Complaints Commission today revealed it will not be investigating the death of a Shropshire man involved in a collision with a police van.Kenneth Thiel-Furber, 26, of Station Road, Whitchurch, died after the accident on the A41 Whitchurch bypass on Saturday morning. He had been walking with his fiancee at the time.

The matter was reported to the IPCC but, after evaluating the incident, officials have now handed it back to West Mercia Police to carry out an investigation.

An IPCC spokeswoman today said: “The incident was reported to us over the weekend and has now been handed back to the force to investigate.

“We have agreed the terms of the investigation and passed it back to the force, and we will look at it again once it has been completed.”

Mr Thiel-Furber had been walking with his fiancee Larissa Keen when the collision happened near the Tilstock roundabout just before 3am. Miss Keen, 17, was unhurt.

Two police officers in the marked Vauxhall Vivaro van were also uninjured. The vehicle was travelling on the A41 towards the Tilstock roundabout.

Police are now preparing a report for the Mid and North Shropshire coroner Mr John Ellery, and a post mortem examination was due to be carried out today.

An inquest is expected to be opened early next week.

Tributes from friends and colleagues have flooded in.

Miss Keen said: “We were like best friends, he was amazing and perfect. He’d give his soul to make someone else happy, and would do anything for anyone.”

Mr Thiel-Furber had only started his new job at Fastrack Maintenance Ltd, based in Oswestry, a month ago, but had already made a big impression on people.

His boss, Gary Jones, managing director of the company, said: “Without a doubt he was a terrific worker, a nice lad both in his work and in his personality.”

Police are appealing for witnesses to contact Whitchurch police station on 08457 444888.

They also want to hear from motorists who spotted two pedestrians, a man and a woman, in the area of the A41 at Whitchurch at around 2.30am on Saturday.

By Andrew Rogers