Shropshire Star

Man killed in crash after police chase near Market Drayton

A man has been killed in a crash following a police chase on a major road near Market Drayton.

Published

Police followed Vauxhall Corsa onto the A53 into Staffordshire shortly before 11pm last night, when it crashed with another car.

One passenger is also in a critical condition and another had facial injuries.

The road was closed between the A51 for Blackbrook and Sandy Lane at Baldwin's Gate into the early hours of this morning.

A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokesman said: "On arrival crews found two cars that had suffered considerable damage. Police officers were already there.

"There were three men in one car and a single man in the other car.

"Sadly, one man from the first car was confirmed dead at the scene. A second had suffered multiple injuries and was anaesthetised at the scene before being taken to the major trauma centre at Royal Stoke University Hospital. He was in a critical condition on arrival. The third man had facial injuries. They were taken to the same hospital.

"The man in the second car had a minor knee injury. He was also taken to Royal Stoke but was released after further treatment."

The Independent Police Complaints Commission has been informed.

Holly Claydon-Bevan, a spokeswoman for West Mercia Police, said: "West Mercia Police can confirm that a marked police car was following a Vauxhall Corsa prior to it being involved in a collision with another car.

"The driver of the Corsa died in the collision, which happened on the A53 in Baldwin's Gate in Staffordshire at around 10pm yesterday evening.

"The Corsa was being followed in relation to a suspected criminal offence.

"The incident was referred to the Independent Police Complaints Commission as is normal procedure and an independent investigation has been launched."

Pip Rawson, an IPCC spokesman, said: "The IPCC has begun an independent investigation following a fatal road traffic incident on the A53 in Baldwin's Gate, Staffordshire, at around 10pm last night.

"The driver of a Vauxhall Corsa died after colliding with another car, whilst being followed by a West Mercia Police vehicle.

"The IPCC was notified of the incident at around 12.30am this morning and sent investigators to the scene and to the post incident procedure."

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