Off-road biker seriously injured after 'losing balance' during police chase
11.05.2022 - 11:01
/ manchestereveningnews.co.uk
An off-road biker was left seriously injured after crashing into a signpost during a police chase. The 27-year-old man was pursued by officers after he refused to stop for them in Tyldesley, near Wigan, on 6 June 2021.
After attempting to mount a kerb, the rider hit a signpost and suffered serious head injuries. The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) has now found that the crash happened after the rider lost his balance.
The chase began after officers spotted four people on e-bikes they believed to have been stolen, the IOPC heard. The bikers refused to stop and sped away onto the Leigh Guided Busway.
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Three of the bikes left the busway and officers, one of whom activated the emergency lights and siren on his unmarked motorbike, continued to pursue the fourth. During the chase, which lasted less than two minutes, one officer made unsuccessful attempts to stop the suspect by making contact with the bike using his legs.
The bikes were travelling between 14 and 26mph at the time, the watchdog found. During each of the attempts to stop the e-bike, there was either a hedge or grassy slope to cushion the rider’s fall.
The chase continued onto Shuttle Street, where video footage showed the e-bike attempt to mount the pavement to avoid a parked car. The rider then lost his balance and crashed into a signpost.
There was no physical contact with either police officer or vehicle at this point, the IOPC found. The man suffered a serious head injury and officers gave him first aid while they waited for an ambulance.
The IOPC said investigators had concluded that the officers had acted "appropriately" throughout, and had not