A 63-year-old man has died after a high-speed police pursuit in Croydon ended in a violent collision, leaving six others injured, one critically. The dramatic incident unfolded on Friday evening (April 18) and has since triggered an independent police conduct investigation.
High-Speed Chase Ends in Fatal Collision
The chain of events began at 8.28pm when Metropolitan Police officers in Croydon began tailing a vehicle suspected of displaying cloned number plates. Following a discreet 10-minute pursuit, officers moved in to stop the vehicle on South Norwood High Street at 8.38 pm.
But instead of complying, the driver sped off. The pursuit escalated quickly. Within eight minutes, at 8.46pm, the fleeing vehicle smashed into two other cars along Wickham Road, near the Shirley Road junction. The impact was severe.
Police officers were quick to respond at the crash scene, delivering immediate first aid, including CPR, to the man behind the wheel. Paramedics from the London Ambulance Service, along with medics from the London Fire Brigade, arrived shortly after and treated multiple casualties.
Despite all efforts to save him, the 63-year-old driver was declared dead at the scene. His family has since been notified.
Two male passengers, both aged 61 and travelling in the suspect vehicle, were arrested at the scene. Both are suspected of travelling in a stolen vehicle, with one also arrested for possessing class A drugs. They remain in custody.
Six Public Injuries – One Critical
Six members of the public, all travelling in the two other vehicles, were also injured in the crash. According to police, one of the injured has sustained a potentially life-threatening injury and is receiving urgent medical treatment.
Investigation Underway
In the aftermath, roads around the scene were cordoned off, and bus routes were diverted while crash investigators combed through the wreckage. All closures have since been lifted.
As per protocol, the Metropolitan Police’s Directorate of Professional Standards was immediately notified. The case has also been referred to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC), which has launched a full independent investigation into the incident.
A Met Police spokesperson released the following statement: “At 20:28hrs on Friday, 18 April, officers on patrol in Croydon began to follow a vehicle that was suspected to be displaying cloned number plates.
At 20:38hrs, in the vicinity of South Norwood High Street, officers tried to stop the vehicle. It failed to stop and made off with officers in pursuit. At 20:46hrs, the vehicle that was being pursued collided with two vehicles being driven by other members of the public in Wickham Road, Croydon, close to the junction with Shirley Road.
Officers gave initial medical treatment, including CPR, while awaiting the arrival of the other emergency services. The London Ambulance Service and the London Fire Brigade attended and treated multiple people for injuries.
Despite their best efforts, a 63-year-old man – the driver of the vehicle that was being pursued – was pronounced dead at the scene. His next of kin has been informed. Two passengers in the vehicle that was being sought, both men aged 61, were arrested on suspicion of being carried in a stolen vehicle. One was also arrested for having class A drugs. They remain in custody.
Six members of the public, who were in the two other vehicles, were taken to the hospital. One was found to have a potentially life-threatening injury. Road closures were implemented while the incident was investigated, with buses on diversion. These closures have now been lifted.
The Met’s Directorate of Professional Standards was immediately informed and a referral made to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC), which is a required step whenever vehicles are involved in a collision involving death or serious injury following a police pursuit. The IOPC will now carry out an independent investigation.”
This tragic incident raises renewed questions around police pursuits and public safety. With a man dead and several others injured, the independent investigation by the IOPC will be crucial in determining how events unfolded and whether procedures were properly followed.
