Man dies in crash following police pursuit

A man died and a woman was seriously injured in a crash that followed a police pursuit near Stratford‑upon‑Avon on Monday, Warwickshire Police said. Officers attempted to stop an achromatic Audi on Birmingham Road shortly before 17:30 BST but the driver failed to stop, prompting a pursuit. Fifteen minutes later the Audi collided with an achromatic Ford Puma; the male driver of the Audi was pronounced dead at the scene by paramedics. The female driver of the Ford sustained serious injuries and remains in hospital in critical condition. An investigation by the police watchdog is underway. Officers said that after failing to stop, the Audi moved toward the A46 before returning toward Stratford on the A439 Warwick Road, where the collision occurred. A number of other cars were damaged during the pursuit, police added. Supt Steve Flavell said: "Our thoughts are with the families of everyone progressive successful this collision and we're providing specializer enactment to them astatine this highly hard time." "We made a mandatory referral to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) due to the fact that a decease had occurred pursuing constabulary contact." "They person declared an autarkic probe and we volition co-operate afloat with their investigation." The A439 Warwick Road remains closed from the Marraway roundabout to its junction with Ingon Lane and Sandbanks Lane. Warwickshire Police said the road is likely to stay closed for some time, advising drivers to use alternative routes. Works carried out on the road 2 years ago aimed at reducing the number of crashes in the area; Warwickshire County Council added a one‑way system, lowered the speed limit and implemented a protected turning lane at the Ingon Lane junction. Street lighting was also boosted to improve visibility for crossing pedestrians at Fisherman's Car Park.