A 23-year-old man has died after a BMW car was in collision with three other vehicles on Saturday night after it had been chased by police.
Emergency services were called to the northbound A21 in Robertsbridge, East Sussex, at 8.20pm on Saturday following the crash – which left seven others injured.
A Sussex Police spokesman stated that the incident occurred after a pursuit by police and confirmed that the force had referred itself to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC).
The spokesman said: “The driver of the BMW – a 23-year-old man from Hailsham – was sadly declared deceased at the scene. His next of kin have been informed.
“Two passengers in another vehicle were taken to hospital with serious injuries, while five other people involved suffered minor injuries requiring hospital treatment.
“The BMW had been involved in a police pursuit shortly before the collision, and a referral was made to the Independent Office for Police Conduct who have declared that they will conduct an independent investigation.”
Detective Superintendent Andy Wolstenholme said: “This was a tragic incident, and our thoughts are with the family of this young man and all those affected.
“An investigation is under way to understand the full circumstances and there will be increased police activity in the area while this is ongoing.
“I would like to thank the public for their patience during the emergency response and for their understanding as our enquiries continue.
“Anyone who has any information that could help the investigation, or relevant dashcam or CCTV footage, is asked to contact police online or via 101, quoting Operation Drummer.”
An IOPC spokeswoman said: “We are independently investigating Sussex Police involvement prior to a road traffic collision on the A21, Robertsbridge, in which a member of the public has sadly died.
“The incident took place just after 8.15pm on Saturday. We understand a police patrol car came across a BMW in the Hastings area, which made off from police when requested to stop.
“Following a pursuit, the BMW collided with several other vehicles at Robertsbridge, around six miles north of Hastings. The driver of the BMW, a man in his 20s, died at the scene.
“Other members of the public involved in the incident were taken to hospital for treatment.
“Our investigation will look at police actions prior to the fatal collision.
“After being notified by the force, we sent investigators to the police post incident procedures to begin gathering evidence and declared an independent investigation.
“Our thoughts are with everyone affected by this incident.”
