IOPC to investigate Norfolk and Suffolk police after fatal A143 crash

A 28 year old woman was pronounced dead at the scene of the collision earlier this month

The crash happened on the A143 near Earsham earlier this month
Author: Matt SoanesPublished 21st Aug 2023

Both Norfolk and Suffolk Police are being investigated by the regulator after a crash which killed a 28 year old woman earlier this month.

It happened after officers from both forces were chasing a Land Rover along the A143 at around 4:30pm on August 13.

The vehicle was followed by police across the Suffolk border into Norfolk, before officers attemtped to pull it over.

The Land Rover drove into a field, before re-joining the A143 and colliding with a Nissan Juke heading in the opposite direction near Earsham.

The driver of the Nissan was pronounced dead at the scene and two men were later charged in connection with the crash.

The Independent Office for Police Conduct will now examine police logs, dashcam footage and the accounts of the officers involved to determine if the correct procedures were followed.

IOPC director Steve Noonan said: "Our deepest sympathies are with the woman's family and friends and we have been in contact with her family to explain our role and the next steps.

"Our role is to investigate the actions and decision-making of police officers involved in this incident prior to the collision and we will examine whether appropriate policies and procedures were followed.

"After being notified of the incident our investigators went to the scene and to the police post-incident procedures to start gathering evidence."

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