A CYCLIST has died after being hit by a car being pursued by police in Cottingley last night.

The crash happened when the driver of a Vauxhall Vectra sped away from police and hit the 55-year-old man on Cottingley Cliffe Road.

The cyclist, from the Bingley area, was pronounced dead at the scene and the 22-year-old driver of the Vectra was arrested.

The road remains closed this morning (Wednesday) and is expected to be closed throughout the day.

A West Yorkshire Police spokesman this morning said: "At about 7.34pm yesterday (Tuesday, 19 July), a police vehicle was on patrol in Cottingley Moor Road when officers noticed the occupants of a silver Vauxhall Vectra acting suspiciously. 

"Officers requested the vehicle to stop, but it sped off and collided with a cyclist in Cottingley Cliffe Road shortly afterwards.  

"The cyclist, a 55-year-old man, was sadly pronounced dead at the scene.  

"The driver of the Vectra, a 22-year-old man, was arrested at the scene on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving and remains in custody today. 

"Road closures are in place on Cottingley Cliffe Road at the junction of High Bank Lane and are likely to remain in place for the rest of the day.  

"Police are working with the Independent Police Complaints Commission to establish the full circumstances of this collision and the moments prior to it." 

Police also said there was only one person in the vehicle.

An IPCC spokesman added: "The IPCC has begun an independent investigation following a fatal road traffic incident involving West Yorkshire Police in Cottingley Cliffe Road, Bingley, which occurred at about 7.30pm yesterday.

"The IPCC was notified of the incident and immediately deployed investigators to oversee an examination of the scene and post incident procedures. We will issue a further update as information becomes available.

"Anyone who may have seen or heard anything which could help the investigation is asked to call the IPCC on 0800 096 9070 or email witness@ipcc.gsi.gov.uk."

This morning a police cordon remains in place in Cottingley Cliffe Road at the junction with Nab Wood Drive, with traffic being diverted through Nab Wood.

The diversion has caused major traffic congestion in Nab Wood and Cottingley. 

Retired couple Sam and Lorraine Pearson have lived just below the fatal crash site for 32 years and said Cottingley Cliffe Road had turned into a "mini motorway."

"When we moved here it was a country road, but now it's either a traffic jam from 7am to 9am and 4pm to 6pm or it's a mini motorway," Mrs Pearson said.

"There have been at least five major accidents since we've been here and once a taxi came right through our garden wall and hedge.

"After the speed camera heading up the hill, the cars just take off and fly up to the next one," Mr Pearson added.

"And now they've turned it into three lanes by driving up the middle over all the chevrons then cutting back into traffic at the top of the hill.

"It's all charging up and down and then big brakes. It's madness."

Civil servant Tabbi Bhatti has recently moved to Cottingley Cliffe Road, near the junction with Nab Wood Drive.

"The issue is young men driving cars as if they're toys.

"I've seen cars doing 100mph up and down this road.

"And when they come up, they cross over into the opposite lane to get past the speed camera's road markings.

"Another problem is young men hiring high performance cars just for a day.

"They give someone 200 quid and go out in something they are not capable of driving - but of course they want to go fast.

"Speed humps or cameras won't stop it. 

"As I say‎, it's the mentality."

Councillor Simon Cooke, (Bingley Rural, Con) said: “This is just dreadful.

“Absolute sympathy and condolences must go to the victim’s family.

“Given that the police were in an active role in what appeared to be a criminal situation I don’t wish to comment on something I believe is being dealt with by the IPCC.

“However I do also feel for the police officers involved.

“Generally, there issues on that road and I have raised questions about it.

“It does have speed cameras, but I doubt fear of a speeding ticket would have changed these tragic circumstances.”

UPDATE: 6.40pm - West Yorkshire Police say the road is expected to open imminently.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Major Collision Enquiry Team on 101, quoting log 1743 of 19 July.

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