COUPLE MOWN DOWN BY CAR THAT JUMPED RED LIGHT
MAN AND WOMAN SERIOUSLY INJURED IN HORROR CRASH
A COUPLE were left seriously injured after being struck by one of two cars which jumped a red light moments earlier.
The man and woman were walking next to the A6, south of Stockport town centre, when they were mown down.
A police officer in a stationary unmarked BMW had witnessed a Renault Clio and Vauxhall Vectra go through the red light.
As the officer pulled out to follow them the Clio crashed. As a result of the police contact, the incident has been reported to police watchdog the Independent Police Complains Commission (IPCC).
The incident happened at about 11.30am on Buxton Road at Heaviley. Two men, both in their 20s, were arrested on suspicion of dangerous driving. The male pedestrian has serious injuries to his arms and legs. His partner is also in a serious condition, with ‘multiple injuries,’ police said. The couple were near a pedestrian crossing when they were hit.
Witness Thomas Fitzgerald said: “I was on a double decker bus going past just after it had happened.
“There was a lady lying on the pavement.
“She seemed to be very badly hurt with injuries to her legs. A man was lying injured in bushes next to the road.
“Someone was putting a coat over him to keep him warm. It was a pretty awful scene.”
Jamie Blackshaw, 36, a builder who was working at the Debra charity shop when he saw the incident unfold, said: “Two cars came past, they were both on the wrong side of the road. Then at Kennerley Road the second car flipped. “It hit a lamp post and then hit a couple walking together. The man was thrown into the bushes while the woman was on the pave-
Witness Jamie Blackshaw Two lads got out of the
car that had flipped, they were really young
ment, blood everywhere. I was so shocked, I can’t get it out of my head.
“Two lads got out the car that had flipped, they were really young.”
It is understood two suspects were detained at the scene – one by a member of the public and another by a police officer.
A spokesman for the IPCC said that GMP had informed them of the incident and a formal referral would be made in the next few days.
A decision will then be made by the IPCC as to whether the case justifies an independent investigation.
It is understood the police officer in the unmarked car had not even had time to switch on blue flashing lights when the crash happened.
Officers from GMP’s Serious Collision Investigation Unit closed off the scene for about four hours.
A lamp post which was uprooted by the crash was removed by workmen.
Officers carried out skid tests in a marked police car as part of the investigation.
The Renault Clio, which was on its side following the crash, was pulled back onto four wheels by a tow truck which later removed it from the scene.
The apparently-undamaged silver BMW police vehicle was also removed by another tow truck.