Enquiry into Police Crash Death

The Independent Police Complaints Commission is investigating after a teenage girl died following a collision with a police car.

The 16-year-old was struck by the marked patrol car in Denton Road, Newcastle, and was pronounced dead at the scene, Northumbria Police said.

The force has not said whether the car was responding to an emergency, but confirmed that an investigation was under way into the circumstances leading to the crash.

Assistant Chief Constable Sue Sim said: "The matter has been referred to the Independent Police Complaints Commission and the IPCC are carrying out an assessment at the scene.

"This is a tragedy and our thoughts are with the family as this time."

Crash investigators were at the scene of the incident in the Denton Burn area of the city as inquiries continued into what happened.

Copyright © PA Business 2008

Fran Mayes from law firm Irwin Mitchell said: "We welcome the inquiry to be carried out by the Independent Police Commission following this tragic incident resulting in the death of a young girl and our hearts go out to the family."