An ambulance involved in a crash in which a 15-year-old boy was killed was travelling back to base at the time, health bosses say. Saul Cookson died when his e-bike crashed with the ambulance on Langworthy Road in Salford on Thursday afternoon.
Moments earlier he had been involved in a police pursuit. It had previously been reported the ambulance was parked up at the time of the crash.
But on Friday, North West Ambulance Service said it was travelling back to base when the collision occurred. In a statement NWAS said: "We can confirm that an ambulance was involved in a collision with a young person, who was riding an electric bike, on Langworthy Road in Salford at around 2pm on Thursday.
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"The patient received medical treatment immediately by the ambulance crew and was transported to hospital, where he sadly later died. We are participating fully in the police investigation.
"We would like to extend our deepest condolences to the young person's family."
Traffic cops had followed the teen along Fitzwarren Street and Lower Seedley Road at around 2pm, until bollards prevented the chase from proceeding further.
Saul then ran into the ambulance on nearby Langworthy Road. Greater Manchester Police has now referred the incident to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC), which is leading an investigation into the crash.
Saul has not yet been officially identified by GMP but his sister Taylor-Jade has paid tribute on Instagram. She wrote: "Seriously can’t believe I'm typing this right now. I'm lost for words and don't know what to say.
"Just so crazy how it happened. In one blink he was gone. He was way too young and shouldn't have gone at 15. He was seriously my best friend and brother in one. Even though he did annoy me we had the best memories and will never be forgotten."
On Thursday night a spokesperson for Greater Manchester Police said: "At around 2pm on Thursday, GMP traffic officers began following a boy riding an e-bike along Fitzwarren Street in Salford, onto Lower Seedley Road. Bollards prevented the police vehicle from continuing to follow the e-bike.
"A short time later a road traffic collision occurred between the e-bike and an ambulance on Langworthy Road. The 15-year-old boy riding the e-bike sadly died.
"In line with normal proceedings, the incident has been referred to IOPC who are now leading the investigation. A cordon remains in place on Langworthy Road. Our thoughts are with the family and friends of the boy who tragically died."
An IOPC spokesperson added: "We are independently investigating the circumstances of a serious collision involving an e-bike and an ambulance in Salford on Thursday. The rider of the bike, a 15-year-old boy, was taken to hospital where he sadly died. Our thoughts are with his family and loved ones, as well as all those affected by this tragedy.
"We were notified by Greater Manchester Police due to the fact a police vehicle had been following the e-bike shortly before the collision. We have sent investigators to the scene of the collision, at the junction of Langworthy Road and Lower Seedley Road, as well as to the police post-incident procedures, to begin gathering evidence.
"Our investigation is at a very early stage and we will provide further details once we are in a position to do so."
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