Enquiries ongoing after horror Baildon crash in January 2023
Tributes poured in following the death of 18-year-old Amber Deakin on January 3, 2023. She was a passenger in a silver Vauxhall Vectra when it overturned on Baildon Road, Baildon, near its junction with Pasture Road, in the late-night crash. Amber, who had a young son, Junior, was described as outgoing and larger than life by her mother, Hayley Norton.
Statement from West Yorkshire[1] Police
At the time, West Yorkshire Police said: “A 21-year-old man and 26-year-old man[2] who were arrested in connection with the incident have been bailed pending further enquiries.
“Officers are continuing to appeal for information and witnesses over the incident. “The silver Vauxhall Vectra failed to stop for police officers at approximately 11.40pm on Otley Road (Foxes Corner) Shipley and travelled along Baildon Road. “We are aware that prior to the collision the Vectra overtook other vehicles and would ask these drivers to come forward.
“As the vehicle involved failed to stop for police and was being pursued by police at the time of the collision[3], a referral was made to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) who have since declared an independent investigation.” West Yorkshire Police said enquiries remain ongoing into the crash and the two men arrested in connection with the incident remain on bail.
Latest from the IOPC
In an update this week, an IOPC spokesperson told the Telegraph &Argus: “Our independent investigation into the circumstances of a fatal collision on Baildon Road on January 3, 2023, concluded in May. “While a separate police investigation into the collision remains ongoing, we are not currently in a position to share details of our findings but will do so at the appropriate time.
“Our thoughts remain with all those affected by this tragic incident.” Ms Norton, 41, of Windhill in Shipley, paid a beautiful tribute to her daughter and said they were more like best friends. She said: “She was always larger than life, full of life, really outgoing and a right character.
“She was really caring and had a big heart.” “She was larger than life, a great daughter and a really good mum – even though she was young, she was doing amazing.” She added: “She loved enjoying life with her friends when she had time off from the baby and she also loved spending every penny she had on him.
“Her dream was to be a good mum and she loved it.”
Ms Norton described the heart-wrenching and surreal moment she found out about the crash.
She said: “I got woken up at 2.30am-ish by the police asking if Amber lived here and then they said there had been a traffic collision and one fatality and they were 98 per cent sure it was Amber.”
References
- ^ Yorkshire (www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk)
- ^ 21-year-old man and 26-year-old man (www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk)
- ^ at the time of the collision (www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk)