Witness appeal following fatal collision in Newcastle

The Independent Office for Police Conduct is appealing for witnesses following a fatal collision in Newcastle.

We are independently investigating the actions of the police prior to the collision shortly after 9am on Sunday (25 July). The incident was referred to us by Northumbria Police because officers had been pursuing the driver of a VW Golf, which was suspected to have been stolen, prior to the collision with a Honda CR-V.

Sadly, two men in the Golf, Connor Davison, 25, and Andrew Milburn, 28, died at the scene, in Barrack Road, and a third man, in his 20s, was seriously injured. A woman in her 50s, who was driving the Honda, was also seriously injured and both parties are now in a stable condition in hospital.

Our investigation is at an early stage but we have received the officers’ initial accounts and obtained dashcam footage from police vehicles.

Miranda Biddle, IOPC Regional Director, said: “This was a tragic incident that has resulted in the deaths of two people, while two more remain in hospital. Our thoughts are with the family and friends of those who have died, as well as all those affected.

“It is vital that we understand the circumstances that led up to this collision and our investigation will be carried out independently of the police.

“It is likely that others in the area will have seen the Golf prior to the crash, or witnessed the pursuit or collision itself, and we would like to hear from them. In particular, we would encourage anyone with dashcam or other footage of the incident to get in touch.”

Anyone with information can contact the IOPC on 0300 303 5726 or by emailing [email protected]