Man fights for life after being knocked down by BMW chased by police in Leeds
The BMW was later found in a car park by police officers
A man is fighting for his life after being hit by a BMW being chased by police in Leeds.
The incident happened on Easy Road in the Cross Green area of the city. Earlier, the Yorkshire Evening Post reported that an Yorkshire Ambulance Service team leader rushed to help a person after what had been described as a ‘collision’ before they were taken to Leeds General Infirmary.
In an update from West Yorkshire Police, it has now been revealed that a man in his 40s has suffered life-changing and potentially life-threatening injuries after being hit by a silver BMW X1 that was being chased by officers.
The driver of the car failed to stop for officers at 12.34pm on Wednesday (November 11) and a pursuit took place before the pedestrian was knocked down on Easy Road a minute later.
A mandatory referral has been made to the Independent Office for Police Conduct.
In a statement, a spokesperson for West Yorkshire Police said: “Police are appealing for witnesses following a collision in Leeds yesterday afternoon (Wednesday 11 November) in which a pedestrian suffered serious, potentially life-threatening injuries.
“At 12.34pm, officers sighted a silver BMW X1. The driver failed to stop for officers, and a brief pursuit took place before a minute later at 12.35pm the BMW was in collision with a pedestrian on Easy Road.
“The pedestrian, a man in his 40s, was taken to hospital where he is being treated for life-changing and potentially life-threatening injuries.
“The driver of the BMW failed to stop at the scene of the collision. The car was later recovered by police in an underground car park on Goodman Street in the Hunslet area of the city.”
A spokesperson for Yorkshire Ambulance Service previously told the YEP: “One of our team leaders came across a collision on Easy Road, Cross Green, Leeds around 12.40pm on Wednesday afternoon.
“An ambulance, a specialist paramedic (critical care) and a doctor were dispatched to the scene and one patient was conveyed to Leeds General Infirmary.”
The AA, on its online traffic map, reported that Easy Road was blocked between Cross Green Lane and Dial Street on Wednesday afternoon.
Officers from Leeds CID would like to speak to anyone who has witnessed any part of this incident, including the vehicle being left in the car park on Goodman Street. Members of the public are also asked to check if they have captured any relevant dashcam or CCTV footage.
Information can be passed to Leeds CID by using Live Chat on the West Yorkshire Police website or by calling 101, quoting 13260641934.
Due to prior police contact a mandatory referral has been made to the Independent Office for Police Conduct.