04 February 2024 , 15:09
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A woman has died following a horror crash on the M25 between a van and three cars - just moments after a police chase.
The crash took place just moments after cops say they stopped pursuing a van at 4am on Sunday morning. The "serious road collision" has left the M25 closed between junctions 22 and 25. And now, police have been referred to an independent watchdog following the fatal collision. Images from the scene show vehicle wreckage scattered across all four lanes of the London orbital motorway..
In a statement, Hertfordshire police said: "The M25 remains closed between junctions 22 (London Colney) and 21A (North Orbital Road/St Albans) following a collision at around 4am this morning. Officers were in pursuit of a van before the van was involved in a collision with three other vehicles.
"No police vehicles were involved in the collision and the pursuit had been stood down prior to the collision. A woman has sadly passed away and her family are being supported by specially trained officers. As a matter of course, the incident has been referred to the Independent Office for Police Conduct."
The "serious road collision" has left the M25 closed between junctions 22 and 25 (UKNIP)The IOPC says it has sent investigators to the scene to gather information for it's investigation which is says is in its "early stages". A forensic investigation is also underway.
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In a statement the watchdog said: "We are investigating the police actions prior to a fatal road traffic collision on the M25 earlier today. We sent our investigators to the scene and to the post incident procedure to begin the process of gathering information. Our investigation is in the very early stages.”
A forensic investigation from the police watchdog is now underway (UKNIP)Traffic site Inrix said: "M25 in both directions closed, slow traffic due to accident investigation work between J21A A405 North Orbital Road (St Albans) and J22 A1081 (St Albans / London Colney). A van and a car collided Anticlockwise just before 04:00 but both sides are closed and are likely to stay shut until lunchtime at least.
"Diversion - using the A414 past Saint Albans and London Colney with Anticlockwise following the hollow square symbols and Clockwise following the hollow triangle symbols which is very slow."