A man has been arrested following a dramatic 17 mile police chase across Bristol and North East Somerset overnight that saw seven people injured.
The chase began when a member of the public reported that a woman had been dragged into a Ford car against her will in Anchor Road, close to the city centre, just before midnight last night.
That sparked a police pursuit of the driver of the Ford that saw a total of seven people, including the driver, injured in three separate incidents right across Bristol, left the M32 closed until Sunday morning, and has now automatically triggered an investigation into the police's conduct.
Also see: M32 in Bristol still closed after overnight crash
Last night, for almost eight hours in the early hours of Sunday (May 1) between junction 2 for Eastville and junction 1 for Filton following reports of a serious crash.
Officers have now revealed the crash was part of police chase - estimated to have been around 17 miles - in pursuit of a man in his mid-20s, following reports of concern for a woman's welfare on Satuday (April 30). Police have said a member of the public witnessed an incident in which a woman appeared to be pulled into a silver Ford car against her will on Anchor Road near the city centre shortly before 12am.
In a statement, a spokesperson from Avon and Somerset Police explained: "At just before midnight, a member of the public contacted police after witnessing an incident in which a woman appeared to be pulled into a silver Ford car against her will on Anchor Road."
Within just a few hundred yards, the driver was involved in the first incident. Avon and Somerset police said: "During the course of the police pursuit, the Ford was involved in a collision with two pedestrians on St Augustine’s Parade who required medical attention for minor injuries."
Then, a few minutes later, the pursuit had continued through the city centre and onto the M32, and at a spot between junction 2 for Eastville and junction 1 for the ring road and Filton, another collision happened. Avon and Somerset police said: "A further collision occurred on the northbound carriageway of the M32 between the police car conducting the pursuit and third party vehicle."
In that crash, police said three members of the public were taken to hospital with non-life threatening injuries - the occupants of the third car, bringing the total number of those injured during the incident to five.
The pursuit then continued around the A4174 ring road and ended at around 12.20am in Keynsham. The police said: "It was stopped by officers on Wellsway, Keynsham at around 12.20 am today (Sunday 1 May).
"One of the occupants of the Ford, a man his mid-20s, left the scene and was located by officers nearby. He was arrested for multiple offences including dangerous driving and failing to stop for police," the police spokesperson said.
Officers confirmed the man has been taken to hospital to be checked over and his condition is not believed to be life-threatening. A female passenger was also taken to hospital to be treated for minor injuries and appropriate safeguarding measures have been put in place for her welfare, bringing the total number of people injured in the pursuit to seven, including the driver.
"This incident has been referred to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) due to police involvement prior to the collisions occurring," the police confirmed.
Police enquires for this investigation are ongoing and officers have urged any witnesses who have not yet spoken to police are asked to call 101 reference 5222102562.
