Wiltshire Police make mandatory referral to watchdog after moped incident
A man in his 50s died in hospital following the crash
Wiltshire Police have confirmed an incident involving a man who was riding a moped which crashed into a parked car in Swindon has been referred to the policing watchdog.
Emergency crews were called to Butterworth Street around 12.30am last Thursday (1 August), with the man in his 50s confirmed to have passed away in hospital.
They say the incident's been handed to the IOPC 'as a matter of protocol' because of prior police contact.
Roads Policing Lead Investigator T/DC Williams said: “Firstly, my thoughts are with the man’s family at this tragic time.
“We understand the public concern into this incident and as a matter of protocol we made a mandatory referral to the IOPC due to police contact with the moped rider before the collision occurred.
“It is important to clarify what ‘police contact’ means here.
“The moped came to the attention of one of our marked Roads Policing vehicles in Park Lane, which then followed the moped into Church Place. The moped then turned right down a pedestrian entrance into GWR Park and was lost to sight.
“At no point were blue emergency lights illuminated.
“Officers then drove to the Park Lane/Faringdon Road roundabout and got out on foot to search the park.
“Sadly, a few minutes later, we received a report from a member of the public that the moped had been involved in a collision with a parked vehicle in Butterworth Street.
“Officers attended the scene, and a cordon was set up to allow for medical aid to be provided and collision enquiries to be carried out.
“As is protocol, the incident was referred to the IOPC, which determined that the investigation into the collision could be carried out by Wiltshire Police’s Serious Collision Investigation Team.
“Following the update on the man’s cause of death, our investigation will be closed down.
“Again, I wish to pass on my condolences to the victim’s family at this tragic time.”
Read more: Man dies after moped crash in Swindon