Police chase leads to Weybridge crash that shuts road for 12 hours
A 12-hour road closure has been in place after a Weybridge[1] crash that followed a chase, police watchdog the IOPC (Independent Office for Police Conduct) has confirmed. It comes as a spokesperson for the body said “police had been in pursuit of a fleeing vehicle[2] prior to [a] collision”.
The incident was first reported by Surrey Police[3] shortly after 3am (July 15) when the force urged people to “avoid the area” and warned Balfour Road "is likely to remain closed for a number of hours”. A witness who found themselves on A317 Weybridge Road in traffic close to the scene on Saturday morning has since suggested the incident happened around 1.40am.
Photos seen by SurreyLive[4] show a large emergency service presence in the Balfour Road area with the fire service, ambulances, and police in attendance. The images also suggest a lorry and two cars may have been involved.
The IOPC said it has requested additional information and will assess whether further action is needed. A spokesperson for the watchdog said: “We were notified by Surrey Police this morning [July 15] about a road traffic collision that occurred overnight.
“We were advised that police had been in pursuit of a fleeing vehicle prior to the collision. We have requested a paper referral with further information about the circumstances surrounding this incident, which we will assess in due course before deciding if any further action is required from us.”
A spokesperson for Surrey Police[6] reported on Saturday morning: “Balfour Road in Weybridge is currently closed between the roundabout for Church Street and Weybridge Road at the junction for Weystone Road/ Addlestone[7] Road while officers respond to a collision.”
They added at 8am: “The road remains closed this morning and is likely to be so until at least the afternoon. Please continue to avoid the area and find alternative routes of travel.” Surrey Police, Surrey Fire and Rescue Service, and South East Coast Ambulance Service have been approached for further details.
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References
- ^ Weybridge (www.getsurrey.co.uk)
- ^ pursuit of a fleeing vehicle (www.getsurrey.co.uk)
- ^ Surrey Police (www.getsurrey.co.uk)
- ^ SurreyLive (www.getsurrey.co.uk)
- ^ Flats evacuated in 'carbon monoxide' incident after restaurant error (www.getsurrey.co.uk)
- ^ Surrey Police (www.getsurrey.co.uk)
- ^ Addlestone (www.getsurrey.co.uk)
- ^ HERE. (www.getsurrey.co.uk)