Tragic Death in High-Speed Police Chase on A13
Essex Police flagged down a white van travelling the wrong way on the A13 just after 2.30am, but the driver ignored the order to stop. What followed was a deadly collision that has left one woman dead and two others seriously injured.
Fatal Crash After Police Pursuit
The black car, carrying the female passenger who would later be pronounced dead at the scene, smashed into the white van fleeing the police. Emergency services rushed to the crash site near Dagenham, where paramedics, fire crews, and multiple ambulance teams desperately fought to save lives.
Investigation Launched by Independent Office of Police Conduct
Chief Superintendent Stuart Hooper, Essex Police’s gold commander, confirmed the chase and collision. “Despite the best efforts of officers and medics, a female passenger in the second vehicle has passed away,” he said. The Metropolitan Police are leading the investigation along with Essex Police.
The Independent Office of Police Conduct (IOPC) has launched a full probe into the circumstances surrounding the dangerous pursuit and fatal crash. An IOPC spokesperson said:
“A vehicle failed to stop for Essex officers and travelled down the wrong side of the A13 before colliding head-on with another car. Tragically, a passenger died at the scene. Our investigation is at an early stage, and we have sent investigators to gather evidence and witness accounts.”
Emergency Services Response
- The London Ambulance Service deployed three ambulance crews, two incident response officers, an advanced paramedic, hazardous area response team (HART), and a team leader.
- They treated three people at the scene. Two survivors were rushed to a major trauma centre.
- Despite heroic efforts, the female passenger in the black car was pronounced dead on-site.
This tragic event follows a dangerous police pursuit on a busy motorway, highlighting the deadly risks when drivers refuse to stop for officers. The investigation is ongoing, with police urging anyone with information to come forward.
