A1 reopens following investigation into tragic crash

1:30pm Friday 18th July 2008

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By Matt Westcott »

INVESTIGATORS are probing the death of a man killed following a police pursuit of a suspected stolen car.

A police driver was trying to bring the Mitsubishi L200 pick-up to a halt as it sped down the A1(M)in County Durham around 5.40am this morning.

But the driver swung the wheel away and smashed into the central reservation of the southbound carriageway near Durham City, flipping over onto the opposite carriageway.

The driver of a Peugeot car, travelling south, had no chance of avoiding the smash.

His car was crushed and he was declared dead at the scene. He will not be identified until relatives are informed. The driver of the Mitsubishi was undergoing surgery.

The incident resulted in the closure of the motorway in both directions, causing severe delays for drivers but has since reopened.

Representatives of the Independent Police Complaints Commission visited the area this afternoon to examine the scene.

A spokesman said: "The pursuit of the Mitsubishi took place on the northbound carriageway and involved up to four marked patrol cars. All were using sirens and blue lights.

"Authorisation was given to bring the Mitsubishi to a controlled stop, which is an approved police tactic and used nationwide. "The driver made efforts to avoid the containment and evaded the police."

He said a police helicopter crew monitored the incident from above. The Mitsubishi driver was detained for treatment in hospital. His condition was not thought to be life-threatening.

Police said the motorway would remain closed for quite some time southbound between junctions 62 and 61 and northbound between junctions 60 and 62.

The officers involved in the incident were said to have been "left badly shocked," by a force spokesman.

The incident began this morning when the pick-up was reported stolen from Chester-le-Street, County Durham.

It was later spotted 20 miles away on the Aycliffe Industrial Estate, Newton Aycliffe. It was followed by trained police in a patrol car and by the Durham force helicopter tracking it from the air.

The stolen truck followed the A167 road before turning onto the A1(M) and heading north.

At the Bowburn interchange police tried to bring the car to a halt using their own vehicle.

A spokesman said: "Near the Bowburn interchange a controlled attempt was made to bring the car to a halt.

"In an attempt to avoid this the Mitsubishi hit the central reservation and flipped onto the southbound carriageway.

"It hit an oncoming Peugeot car, causing severe injuries to the driver, who died at the scene.

"The male driver of the Mitsubishi was injured and has been undergoing surgery at the University Hospital of North Durham.

"The police officers involved were left badly shocked. "

The black Mitsubishi and blue Peugeot remained at the site of the crash this afternoon.

The badly crumpled Mitsubishi 4x4 truck lay on its side with its bonnet open and large clumps of grass wedged into its bodywork. A deep tyre track scarred the slip road next to it.

The small Peugeot 306 was visible only from behind, its windscreen shattered. Four police cars were seen being loaded on to tow-trucks, one with damage to its driver's door.

"Some witnesses have contacted the police but officers are keen to hear from anyone else who saw the incident," said the police spokesman.

Anyone with information should call 0845 6060 365.