Three people have died following a horror crash on a motorway, police have said.
A suspected stolen van drove round the wrong way of a roundabout after spotting a police car before going onto the M606 in Bradford, Yorkshire, where it drove down the wrong direction and smashed into a taxi. The taxi driver, 28, and his 48-year-old passenger were both killed, along with an 18-year-old passenger in the van.
Two other people are in hospital with injuries that are not believed to be life-threatening, YorkshireLive reports. A 15-year-old boy was also arrested by West Yorkshire Police on the suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving.
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An IOPC spokesman said: "Three people have died following the incident on the M606, near the Chain Bar roundabout, at approximately 10.45pm last night (13 June).
"We received a mandatory referral from West Yorkshire Police due to the fact one of the vehicles involved, a Ford Transit van, had driven off and round the wrong way of a roundabout while a police car was in the vicinity. The van, which is suspected to have been stolen, then entered the M606, travelling in the wrong direction, where it was involved in a collision with a taxi.
"We sent investigators to the scene to assess the situation and to the post incident procedures. We have obtained an initial account from the police and are in the process of gathering and reviewing footage of the incident. The evidence currently available indicates the police did not follow the van the wrong way onto the motorway.
"The male driver of the taxi, 28, and the passenger of the taxi, 48, and a 18-year-old male passenger in the van have since died. Two other people involved in the collision are recovering in hospital with injuries not believed to be life threatening."
IOPC Regional Director Thea Walton said: “This was a tragic incident that has resulted in three people losing their lives. Our thoughts are with all those affected.
“We understand this will have caused considerable concern in the community and I would like to reassure people that there will be a thorough, independent investigation to understand exactly what has happened.
“We will be in contact with the families as soon as possible to explain our role and how our inquiries will progress.”
