Audi driver dies and woman fighting for life after police chase crash in West Midlands
The male driver of the Audi was pronounced dead at the scene.
A man has died and a woman left fighting for her life following a multi-vehicle crash during a police chase.
Officers had attempted to pull over a black Audi A3 on Birmingham Road, near Stratford-upon-Avon, Warks., at 5.23pm yesterday (Mon).
The driver failed to stop and was pursued by cops as he travelled back towards the town on the A439 Warwick Road.
Around 20 minutes later, the Audi then smashed into a white Ford Puma at 5.44pm.
The male driver of the Audi was pronounced dead at the scene by paramedics.
The Ford driver, aged in her 70s, was taken to hospital where she remains in a critical condition.
A Warwickshire Police spokesperson said: "Their families have been informed and are being offered specialist support."
The force said a number of other vehicles were also damaged during the pursuit and the incident had been referred to the police watchdog.
Superintendent Steve Flavell said: “Our thoughts are with the families of everyone involved in this collision and we’re providing specialist support to them at this extremely difficult time.
“We made a mandatory referral to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) because a death had occurred following police contact.
"They have declared an independent investigation and we will co-operate fully with their investigation."
An IOPC spokesperson: “We are carrying out an independent investigation into the involvement of Warwickshire Police prior to a fatal road traffic collision in Warwick Road, Stratford-upon-Avon at approximately 5.40pm on Monday (24 Aug).
“We were notified by the force at 7.40pm and IOPC investigators attended the police post incident procedure to begin gathering information.
"We declared an independent investigation at 9.38pm.
“We understand that the driver of a black Audi A3 failed to stop for police and was then pursued for around six minutes before the vehicle was involved in a collision with a car being driven by a member of the public.
“The male driver of the Audi sustained fatal injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene.
“The driver of the other car, a woman in her 70s, was taken to hospital with life-threatening injuries.
“Our investigation is at an early stage.”
West Midlands Ambulance Service said paramedics treated four casualties and two women were taken to hospital.
Two ambulances, three paramedic officers, the Warwickshire and Northamptonshire Air Ambulance and the Midlands Air Ambulance all attended the scene.
A service spokeswoman said: “Upon arrival we found four patients.
"Firstly a man who was the driver of the first car who was in a critical condition. He received advanced life support and advanced trauma care at the scene.
“Despite their best efforts, it became clear that nothing more could be done to save him and he was confirmed deceased by ambulance staff at the scene.
“Secondly, a woman who was the driver of the second car was assessed and had sustained life-threatening injuries.
"She received advanced trauma care from ambulance staff at the scene before being conveyed to University Hospital Coventry and Warwickshire by air ambulance for further treatment.
“The second woman who was a passenger in the second car had sustained potentially serious injuries which were not believed to be life threatening.
"She received treatment at the scene before being conveyed to Warwickshire Hospital by land.
“A fourth patient had sustained injuries not believed to be serious and was conveyed to Warwick Hospital for further assessment.”