WIREDGOV

A man who died following a road traffic incident on the M5 near Worcester has been named as Kevin Whitchurch.

Mr Whitchurch, 26, from London, died after the Nissan Micra he was driving collided near the sliproad for the southbound Strensham Services, at around 12:05am on Sunday 24 April.

An Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) investigation is underway into the actions of Gloucestershire Constabulary leading up to the incident.

Around 15 minutes before the collision, concerns had been raised about the Nissan by a member of the public. A police van also spotted the vehicle and as a result, two approved pursuit vehicles were deployed.

Initial indications show a pursuit was under way at the time of the collision. The circumstances of the pursuit will be carefully examined as part of the IPCC’s independent investigation.

After being notified of the fatal collision by Gloucestershire Constabulary, IPCC investigators went to the scene to oversee post incident procedures and view in-car video footage.

Associate Commissioner Guido Liguori said:

“Following this serious incident in which a man has sadly died, we will undertake a full investigation into the events leading up to the collision, and the actions of police. My condolences are with Kevin’s family.

“I would ask that anyone with information that might assist the investigation to please contact strensham@ipcc.gsi.gov.uk or 0800 151 0020.”