Woman injured in fatal police pursuit crash dies

A woman who was critically injured when her car was in collision with a vehicle involved in a police pursuit has died.

The 62-year-old was the driver of a Ford Puma which collided with an Audi A3 on the A439 Warwick Road near Stratford-upon-Avon in Warwickshire on Monday.

The driver of the Audi, a 19-year-old man, died at the scene. The Audi was being followed by police officers after it had earlier failed to pull over when requested to do so.

The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) has begun an investigation and said thoughts were with the friends and families of both those who died. The families have requested privacy, a statement said.

"We can confirm that a woman who was critically injured in a road traffic incident in Warwick Road, Stratford-upon-Avon on Monday (24 Aug) has, sadly, died," the statement said.

"The 62-year-old woman's Ford Puma was in collision with a black Audi A3 car which had been pursued by officers from Warwickshire Police.

"The Audi driver died at the scene.

"Our thoughts are with the friends and families of both those who have died and both families have requested privacy at this difficult time."

Warwickshire Police was also contacted for a comment, but said it was directing inquiries to the IOPC. It has referred the crash to the police complaints watchdog because a death had occurred following police contact.

Police previously said the pursuit began shortly before 17:30 BST on Birmingham Road when officers attempted to stop the Audi, but the driver failed to pull over.

The crash happened about 15 minutes later, the force said.

The Ford driver, initially reported to be in her 70s, was taken to hospital along with another woman, who had been a passenger in the Ford.

West Midlands Ambulance Service said the second woman had suffered serious injuries, but they were not thought to be life threatening.

Injuries to another patient from the Ford were not believed to be serious.

After failing to stop, the Audi made off in the direction of the A46 before travelling back towards Stratford on the A439.

A number of other cars were damaged during the pursuit, police said.

Warwick Road was closed on Monday from the Marraway roundabout to its junction with Ingon Lane and Sand Barn Lane, with the stretch remaining shut on Tuesday morning.

Manuela Perteghella, Liberal Democrat MP for Stratford-on-Avon, said on Tuesday the incdent was "incredibly tragic".

"My thoughts are with the families of all those impacted. We must now let the investigation take its course."

The IOPC is asking anyone who may have footage of the Audi or the pursuit to contact them.

Follow BBC Coventry & Warwickshire on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.