The police watchdog is appealing for information from witnesses after the death of a teenager in Salford.
Saul Cookson, 15, was killed when the e-bike he was riding crashed into an ambulance on Langworthy Road on Thursday afternoon (June 8).
He had been pursued by police officers shortly before the crash. The officers, who were in a marked BMW X5 stopped following Saul after he passed through a set of bollards at the junction with Lower Seedley Road, police have said.
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As a result of the police followin the bike, the incident has been referred to the IOPC (Independent Office for Police Conduct). They have now launched an investigation.
The crash happened shortly after 2pm. Sault was treated by paramedics at the scene before being taken to hospital where he was sadly pronounced dead at 2.35pm.
In a statement, the IOPC said it had begun gathering evidence, including dashcam footage from the police vehicle. Investigators have also obtained initial statements from two police officers, who are currently being treated as witnesses.
Investigators from the watchdog say, at this stage, they understand officers saw the black off-road Sur-Ron e-bike and followed it for a short period before the bike passed through bollards at the end of Lower Seedley Road, which the police vehicle could not pass through. There is no indication at this time in the IOPC investigation of direct physical contact between the police vehicle and the e-bike, but examinations of the bike and the police vehicle are continuing, the IOPC said.
IOPC Regional Director Catherine Bates said: “My heart goes out to Saul’s family and loved ones, as well as all those affected by his tragic death.
“Our investigation will be thorough and independent of the police. It is important that we understand the events leading up to this incident and will be looking at the actions and decision-making of police prior to the collision, including the reason for the decision to follow the bike.
“It is likely that members of the community will have seen the collision, or events leading up to it, and I would urge anyone with information to speak to us. We are particularly keen to hear from anyone who saw, or has footage of, the bike or police vehicle prior to the collision.”
Anyone with information can get in touch with IOPC investigators by emailing langworthyroad@policeconduct.gov.uk or calling 0300 303 5568.
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