The IOPC says three people have died after the M606 crash and two more were recovering in hospital
The Independent Police Conduct Office (IOPC) continues to gather evidence as part of the investigation into the circumstances of a deadly collision in Bradford.
Three people have died in the M606 incident near the Chain Bar roundabout at around 10.45pm last night (June 13).
We received a mandatory referral from West Yorkshire Police due to the fact that one of the vehicles involved, a Ford Transit van, had veered off and turned into the wrong path at a roundabout while a police car was nearby. The van, which is suspected to have been stolen, then entered the M606, traveling in the wrong direction, where it was involved in a collision with a taxi.
We have sent investigators to the scene to assess the situation and the procedures following the incident. We have obtained a first police report and are in the process of collecting and reviewing footage of the incident. Currently available evidence indicates that police did not follow the van down the wrong path to the freeway.
The taxi driver, aged 28, and the taxi passenger, aged 48, and an 18-year-old passenger in the van have since died. Two people most involved in the crash are recovering in hospital with injuries that are not believed to be life-threatening.
IOPC Regional Director Thea Walton said: “This was a tragic incident that killed three people. Our thoughts are with everyone affected.
“We understand that this will have caused considerable concern to the community and I would like to assure people that there will be a thorough and independent investigation to understand exactly what has happened.
“We will contact the families as soon as possible to explain our role and how our consultations will evolve.”