Statement issued as teenage boy dies in horror crash after police pursuit

Statement issued as teenage boy dies in horror crash after police pursuit The police have issued a statement confirming that the force's Professional Standards Unit has been informed and a mandatory referral made to the policing watchdog as a death following police contact The police watchdog has issued a statement after a teenager died in a horror crash involving two cars after a police pursuit, identifying it as a death following police contact. The collision involved a white Nissan Juke and a black Audi S3. A teenage boy who was a passenger in the Nissan was pronounced dead at the scene in South Bristol in the early hours of yesterday morning (October 25). Avon and Somerset Police said the crash followed a short police pursuit just after 4am, adding that a 17-year-old boy as later arrested at a home on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving. The force has confirmed that Avon and Somerset's Professional Standards Unit has been informed and a mandatory referral made to the policing watchdog, the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC), as a death following police contact. "Enquiries into the circumstances of the collision are at an early stage," the force's statement continued. "Pending any decision by the IOPC, the investigation is being overseen by a detective inspector from the Major Crime Investigation Team." Three others were taken to hospital following the collision on the A37 Wells Road, their injuries are not believed to be life-threatening. Those in hospital include two teenagers who were also passengers in the same Nissan, and the driver of the Audi. The boy under arrest remains in police custody after being taken to hospital and discharged, according to the force. Avon and Somerset Police issued a statement shortly after 5.30pm, saying: "The collision involved a white Nissan Juke and a black Audi S3 being driven by members of the public and happened on the A37 Wells Road at its junction with Airport Road and Wootton Park. "It followed a short police pursuit involving an unmarked police vehicle and the white Nissan Juke. "Sadly, one person – a teenage boy who was a passenger in the white Nissan Juke, died at the scene. "Ambulance crews took three other people to hospital from the scene with injuries not currently believed to be life-threatening. "Two were passengers from the same Nissan, also teenage children. The third person taken to hospital by ambulance was the man driving the other vehicle, the black Audi S3. "Officers later arrested a 17-year-old boy at a residential property on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving. This young person was taken to hospital for assessment and discharged. He remains in police custody. "Specialist officers have traced and informed the family of the boy who died and offered them support." The road was closed for around 12 hours as investigations began, reopening at around 4pm yesterday afternoon. If you witnessed the collision or have any dashcam or other footage which could help the police investigation, please call 101, quoting reference 5226347807. [Image text:] POLICE ROAD CLOSEO