Police force investigated over fatal crash during pursuit

Kieran O'Brien, 38, was critically injured when the Peugeot 208 he was driving crashed in Runcorn, Cheshire, on August 1. Credit: PA

An investigation has been launched into the death of a man whose car crashed into a wall during a police pursuit.

Kieran O'Brien, 38, was critically injured when the Peugeot 208 he was driving crashed in Runcorn, Cheshire, on August 1.

He was taken to hospital and transferred to the Walton Centre, which specialises in neurology, but his life support was switched off on Thursday, a spokesman for the Independent Office of Police Conduct (IOPC) said.

The spokesman said said Mr O'Brien failed to stop for Cheshire Police officers in Frodsham at about 11.30pm and early indications suggested the car was pursued for 18 minutes before it crashed into a wall.

The incident was referred to the police watchdog by the force and an independent investigation is now under way.

IOPC regional director Amanda Rowe said: