Update following fatal police pursuit in County Durham

Our investigation following a fatal incident in the Spennymoor area of County Durham on Friday 18 October 2019 has made significant progress.

At around 2.30pm a Durham Constabulary police officer, driving a marked police car, began a pursuit of a Nissan Primera, which later crashed on Central Drive, Middlestone Moor. The driver of the Nissan, 19 year-old Kelvin Bainbridge, suffered fatal injuries and sadly died at the scene. A post mortem examination was carried out on Sunday 20 October.

From the information we have gathered so far, including footage of the incident and initial accounts from some of those involved, we can confirm the following facts:

• Mr Bainbridge failed to stop when police indicated for him to do so
• the pursuit was authorised and we estimate it lasted around six minutes in total
• Mr Bainbridge got out of the Nissan whilst it was still in motion and he was then struck by the police car.

IOPC Interim Regional Director David Ford said:

"Our thoughts and sympathies remain with Mr Bainbridge’s family and friends and everyone affected by this sad incident. We have met with his family and will continue to keep them informed as our investigation progresses.

"Although our work is still in its early stages we have made good progress so far. We will be speaking to all those officers and police staff involved, and as many independent witnesses as possible. We would urge anyone who witnessed the incident to come forward and contact us on 0800 096 9076 or email: [email protected].

“We are aware that rumours have been circulating on social media surrounding the details of the incident. We appreciate that this was a tragic and upsetting incident, but it is important that people do not engage in unhelpful rumours and allow us to carry out a thorough and impartial investigation.”