Investigation into police chase which ended with death of a pedestrian in Wakefield

West Yorkshire Police confirmed last night that a man had died after being hit by a car which was being pursued by police.

The incident occurred at around 5.18pm, when a Peugeot 307 failed to stop for police in East Ardsley.

The driver, a 22-year-old man, was then pursued by police.

A short time later, the car hit a male pedestrian on Leeds Road in Outwood, Wakefield.

The man died at the scene.

Leeds Road remained closed overnight and into the morning while investigations were carried out.

The Independent Office for Police Conduct, which oversees complaints about policing in England and Wales, has now confirmed they are investigating the incident.

It follows a mandatory referral by West Yorkshire Police.

A spokesperson for the IOPC said: "We have begun an independent investigation into a police pursuit prior to a road traffic collision in Outwood, West Yorkshire in which a male pedestrian has sadly died.

"We understand a Peugeot 307 collided with the man in Leeds Road at around 5.20 pm yesterday (Tuesday) following a pursuit by a marked police vehicle after the Peugeot had failed" to stop.

"The investigation follows a referral from West Yorkshire Police. We have sent investigators to the scene and to the police post-incident procedures to begin our enquiries.