Police watchdog issues appeal over e-bike crash after death of teen who had been followed by officers

The police watchdog is appealing for information from witnesses after the death of a teenager in Salford.

Saul Cookson, 15, was killed when the e-bike he was riding crashed into an ambulance on Langworthy Road on Thursday afternoon (June 8).

He had been pursued by police officers shortly before the crash. The officers, who were in a marked BMW X5 stopped following Saul after he passed through a set of bollards at the junction with Lower Seedley Road, police have said.

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As a result of the police followin the bike, the incident has been referred to the IOPC (Independent Office for Police Conduct). They have now launched an investigation.

The crash happened shortly after 2pm. Sault was treated by paramedics at the scene before being taken to hospital where he was sadly pronounced dead at 2.35pm.

In a statement, the IOPC said it had begun gathering evidence, including dashcam footage from the police vehicle. Investigators have also obtained initial statements from two police officers, who are currently being treated as witnesses.

Investigators from the watchdog say, at this stage, they understand officers saw the black off-road Sur-Ron e-bike and followed it for a short period before the bike passed through bollards at the end of Lower Seedley Road, which the police vehicle could not pass through. There is no indication at this time in the IOPC investigation of direct physical contact between the police vehicle and the e-bike, but examinations of the bike and the police vehicle are continuing, the IOPC said.

IOPC Regional Director Catherine Bates said: “My heart goes out to Saul’s family and loved ones, as well as all those affected by his tragic