Driver dies in crash after police pursuit

A driver has died in a single-vehicle crash following a pursuit involving a marked police car.

Bedfordshire Police said officers were alerted to a grey Audi being driven without its lights on in High Street South, Dunstable, at about 22:30 BST on Saturday.

The force said the driver, a 41-year-old man, "failed to stop for police and a police pursuit ensued" on the A5183 towards Markyate, a village on the Hertfordshire border.

It said that about 22:37, the car left the road near Caddington and collided with a tree. No other vehicles were involved.

Officers gave critical first aid care and were later supported by emergency services.

The driver was pronounced dead shortly before 23:30, the force said.

His next of kin have been informed and are being supported, a police spokesperson added.

Bedfordshire Police said it had referred itself to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) "in line with standard protocols" and an investigation has been launched.

A cordon was in place on the stretch between the Kensworth Turn (northbound) and Caddington (southbound) while emergency services responded, police said.

The road has since reopened.

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