Teen dies in e-bike crash after police chase, IOPC investigates
A 15-year-old boy, identified as Saul Cookson, tragically lost his life after his e-bike collided with an ambulance following a police pursuit in Salford. The incident occurred on Thursday afternoon when Greater Manchester Police (GMP) traffic officers followed the teenager until their vehicle was obstructed by bollards. Saul continued riding until the fatal collision took place on Langworthy Road.
The North West Ambulance Service (NWAS) stated that although the ambulance was not responding to an emergency call during the incident, it was en route to a nearby station. The crew inside the ambulance immediately provided medical assistance to the teenager and transported him to the hospital, where he later succumbed to his injuries.
Tributes have been pouring in near the scene of the accident, with heart-shaped balloons, flowers, candles, and heartfelt messages adorning the area. One note reads, “Gone but not forgotten,” while others express sentiments such as “RIP brother” and “Forever remembered rest easy.”
GMP expressed condolences in a statement, saying, “Our thoughts are with the family and friends of the boy who tragically died.” The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) is now investigating the circumstances surrounding the collision.
A spokesperson for the IOPC shared their sympathies for the family and loved ones of the deceased, as well as all those affected by the tragedy. The IOPC was notified by GMP due to the involvement of a police vehicle in the chase preceding the collision. The IOPC has dispatched investigators to the scene and the police post-incident procedures to gather evidence. The spokesperson added that further details would be provided once available.
As the investigation continues, the community mourns the loss of young Saul Cookson, and tributes continue to accumulate at the site of the tragic accident.
