Man, 34, found dead on railway tracks moments after car chase with Met Police cops
A MAN has been found dead on railway tracks shortly after a car chase with Met Police officers.
The 34-year-old man had been involved in a police pursuit in south London in the early hours of Wednesday.
An investigation has been launched following the man’s death.
Met Police said a car heading towards Streatham High Road failed to stop for cops at 3.26am.
Police said in a statement: “A vehicle pursuit was authorised and officers followed the car for a short time, indicating it should stop.”
The car crashed in Brunswick Mews, Streatham, and the driver fled the scene before he was last seen in nearby Potters Lane.
A helicopter joined the search of the area and a body was spotted on the railway lines near Estreham Road.
Cops liaised with Network Rail and the British Transport Police to turn off the power on the lines.
Officers and paramedics approached the man but he was pronounced dead at the scene.
He has been identified as a 34-year-old man and his next of kin have been informed.
The Met’s Directorate of Professional Standards has been informed.
A spokesperson for the IOPC said: “We can confirm the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) has begun an investigation after a man died following a pursuit by Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) officers.
“At around 3.26am on Wednesday June 14 we understand a car failed to stop for MPS officers in the Streatham area.
“We were advised by the MPS that an authorised pursuit began involving a marked and an unmarked police car, and the car being pursued.
“Shortly afterwards the car apparently collided with a garden fence in Brunswick Mews and two male passengers were detained by officers.
“The driver made off from the car and was pursued on foot by officers.
“We have been told he climbed a fence onto a railway line where, sadly, his body was spotted by police helicopter.
“After being notified by the MPS, we sent our investigators to the scene and the post incident procedures to begin gathering evidence.”