Fatal collision following pursuit - Kent Police, September 2017

In September 2017 Kent Police officers engaged in a pursuit with a man who had failed to stop for police. During the pursuit the man crashed into a heavy goods vehicle (HGV) travelling in the opposite direction. Officers administered first aid at the scene. The man was then taken by ambulance to a nearby hospital, where he later died from injuries sustained during the collision.

During the investigation, investigators examined witness statements, CCTV and body-worn video footage, as well as vehicle and collision reports. They also attended the post-mortem examination.

The evidence suggested that the decision to pursue the man in order to stop him was appropriate in the circumstances and in keeping with policy and guidance. The collision report suggested that the man was travelling too fast approaching a bend in the road, which caused part of his car to veer into oncoming traffic and to then collide with a HGV.

Based on the evidence available, we found no indication that any person serving with the police may have committed a criminal offence or behaved in a manner that would justify the bringing of disciplinary proceedings.

After reviewing our report, the force agreed with our findings.