Watchdog investigating police car crash in Stoke after a woman died
The 84-year-old died on Christmas Day
The actions of police officers involved in a collision which saw an elderly woman die on Christmas Day are being investigated by a watchdog.
An unmarked police Skoda Octavia was in collision with a Nissan Micra in Park Hall Road in Stoke-on-Trent on the afternoon of December 5 and the 84-year-old driver of the Nissan was taken to hospital with injuries.
The woman was discharged and the incident referred to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) by Staffordshire Police, but a re-referral was made when the woman was later readmitted to hospital and died on December 25.
The IOPC says it is investigating the actions of the officers involved and police body-worn camera footage of the incident, police radio transmissions, policy documents and training records are being examined.
IOPC director Derrick Campbell said: "Following this tragic development we have now decided to independently investigate the circumstances, including the actions and decisions of two police constables before the collision.
"Our thoughts are with the family of the woman who died and we are making contact with them to explain our role and how our investigation will be conducted.
"We will keep them regularly updated on our progress."