WIREDGOV

An investigation has been launched after a man and a woman driving on the wrong side of the road, following a police pursuit, died in a head-on collision with a coach.

The crash took place on the A40 in East Acton, west London at about 9pm Sunday 10 February.

Shauna McDonagh aged 18 who was pregnant and Patrick McDonagh, aged 19, were pronounced dead at the scene.

A second man who was travelling in the car was taken to hospital. A large number of people travelling on the coach were checked by paramedics at the scene with two taken to hospital with minor injuries.

It is understood that police were pursuing the car, a Renault Scenic, for about 10 minutes but terminated the pursuit prior to the crash. A National Police Air Service helicopter was monitoring the progress of the Renault when it crashed.

It has now been confirmed, as part of a separate police investigation, that the occupants of the Renault were not present at the time of an aggravated burglary reported to have taken place in Harrow. The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) investigation will examine the information the police had and the rationale for the pursuit.

The Metropolitan Police Service made a mandatory referral to the IOPC and at about 10.47pm, 10 February an investigation was launched.

Staff attended the scene and post incident procedures and evidence is in the process of being secured for further analysis including; accounts from officers; footage from the helicopter, police cars, body worn video, CCTV and in car data.

We have made contact with their next of kin to explain our involvement and will be keeping them updated about our investigation.

IOPC regional director Jonathan Green yesterday said:

“My thoughts are with the families and friends of Patrick and Shauna, those injured and all those affected by this incident.

“It is important that we now establish all of the circumstances surrounding this collision.

“We have therefore launched an independent investigation into the events leading to the collision and immediately deployed our investigators to attend the scene and the post incident procedure.”