Police watchdog informed after driver dies following early hours chase

A referral has been made to the police watchdog after a driver died following a chase in the early hours of this morning in Heywood.

The male driver died after their car, a Dacia Sandero, ploughed into the side of The White Lion pub on York Street at around 3.15am today (Monday). In a statement, a Greater Manchester Police spokesperson said officers in a marked vehicle had tried to stop the car on Bolton Road moments before the smash.

But the driver 'failed to stop' and a short chase commenced onto Rochdale Road East. The police spokesperson said a 'few moments later', a decision was made to stop the pursuit.

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The car then crashed into the pub 'shortly after'. The driver was tragically pronounced dead on the scene.

A large cordon was put in place outside the pub as investigations were carried out by emergency crews throughout the morning. The road remains closed off this afternoon, with a screen in place in front of the badly damaged building.

Police said the incident has been referred to the police watchdog - the Independent Office for Police Conduct - in-line with normal procedure. Any witnesses, or anyone with CCTV or dash cam footage, should now contact GMP's Serious Collision Investigation Unit.

In a statement, a GMP spokesperson said: "Around 3.15am this morning (Monday 1 July 2024), we received a report of a road traffic collision that had occurred on York Street, Heywood. Initial enquiries suggest that a Dacia Sandero was travelling on Bolton Road in Heywood where it failed to stop for a liveried police patrol.

"A short pursuit commenced onto Rochdale Road East. A few moments later a decision was made to discontinue the pursuit.

"Shortly