The Independent Police Complaints Commission are appealing for witnesses of events after two people and an unborn child died, and two more are in a critical condition, following a head-on collision on 6 July 2012 in Torquay.
The IPCC conducted an assessment on 9 July of the circumstances of the incident and decided to independently investigate police actions and decisions before the collision, including whether or not an officer was in pursuit of a black Vauxhall Vectra.
IPCC Commissioner Rachel Cerfontyne said: "This is a tragedy for the family and friends of those who died and also those still in hospital. The IPCC will be using its own investigators to establish what happened and is appealing for members of the public who may have witnessed anything to get in touch with our investigation.”
Witnesses are asked to contact the IPCC on freephone 0800 0969072 or email hamelinwaycollision@ipcc.gsi.gov.uk
Investigators have contacted relatives of all the deceased to explain what the IPCC is investigating.
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The police had been called at about 2.10pm on 6 July with concerns for a Polish man who had driven off in his taxi, a black Vauxall Vectra. This report was treated by police as a high-risk missing person because of concerns for him. At about 2.45pm, the Polish man's car was seen on the A380 Hamelin Way, Torquay, by a police officer in a marked police vehicle. The Vectra crashed into an oncoming VW Golf occupied by the Twomey family from Cork, Ireland, who were holidaying in Torquay. A 16-month old boy, who was a rear nearside passenger in the VW Golf, died in hospital. Both parents were in the front seats of the VW and are in a critical condition in Derriford hospital. An unborn baby also died in hospital.
At about 2.45pm, the Polish man's car was seen on the A380 Hamelin Way, Torquay, by a police officer in a marked police vehicle.
The Vectra crashed into an oncoming VW Golf occupied by the Twomey family from Cork, Ireland, who were holidaying in Torquay.
A 16-month old boy, who was a rear nearside passenger in the VW Golf, died in hospital. Both parents were in the front seats of the VW and are in a critical condition in Derriford hospital. An unborn baby also died in hospital.
The Polish man was pronounced dead at Derriford hospital.
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