A MAN who suffered serious injuries in a crash following a police chase in Bradford has died.

The 22-year-old, who police have not yet named, died last night in Leeds General Infirmary. 

Police are continuing to appeal for witnesses to the serious road traffic collision which occurred at around 11:55pm on Friday in Highgate Road at its Junction with Union House Lane, in Queensbury, Bradford.

The police were heading from the Queensbury direction towards Bradford centre and the car, believed to be stolen, was in front.

A spokesman for West Yorkshire Police said: "A Toyota Auris which had earlier failed to stop for a marked police vehicle, collided with a house in Smithy Fold before striking a garden wall."

The 22-year-old driver of the Toyota  was transported to Leeds General Infirmary.

The occupant of the house which was badly damaged in the crash said she was lucky to be alive.

Janet Martin told the T&A: “I had only just got into bed. I had been in the living room only minutes before. If I had still been in there I wouldn’t be talking now because I may not be alive.

“I was getting into bed and heard a terrific crash. I tried to get downstairs to see what had happened but the front door had been caved in and there was all broken glass and debris on the stairs. A neighbour had to help me past.”

The 73-year-old added: “There is a big, long crack in the bedroom wall and the force knocked the radiator off the wall in the hallway into the living room.”

Visibly shaken and tearful, Mrs Martin said the police had told her it was a stolen car and had false plates on it.

“They showed me the correct registration number so I could inform my insurance company.

“I cannot believe it has happened. My neighbours kindly gave me a bed for the night but I couldn’t sleep because I was shaking. It was such a shock.

“I’ve taken my possessions out of the house and my medication for high blood pressure and will have to stay in a hotel or something for a while. It could be months before I get back in.

“I have two daughters but they live in London and Shetland.

“I’m Bradford born and bred and have been living in this house in Smith Fold for 17 years. I don’t want to go anywhere else and I don’t want to go out of Bradford while the repairs to my home are being done.

“I really love it here. I have lovely neighbours and they are being really kind and helpful to me.”

Another neighbour, Maureen Mitchell, who lives two doors away, said she was still up and was sitting in her living room when the crash happened.

“It was a huge bang. It shook the chair I was sitting in. I’ve never heard anything like it,” she said.

A neighbour of the property in Highgate Road where the garden wall was demolished said he heard the crash and went outside to have a look.

“There was a car on the road with someone slumped over the steering wheel, then a few seconds later there were a lot of blue lights and the police were there,” he said.

A woman from nearby Highgate Fisheries, which was closed when the crash happened, said the cordon had been lifted by the time they got to the shop on Saturday morning.

Firefighters from Odsal were also called to the collision.

The incident has been reported to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC).

A police spokesman for the IOPC said: “We have begun an independent investigation following a road traffic incident in Bradford after which a man sadly died. 

“We understand, at this time, that the man was driving a car and failed to stop for West Yorkshire Police in the Queensbury area shortly before midnight on Friday when it collided with a house in Smithy Fold. 

“The man, who was in his 20s, and the only person in the car, was seriously injured and later died in hospital.

 “We deployed investigators to the scene and to post-incident procedures.”
The IOPC is already investigating a previous incident in December last year when the driver of an Audi A4 being chased by police died after hitting barriers on the M606. 

The coroner will also be informed.

Judith Cummins, MP for Bradford South, said: “This is a tragic incident that is currently under investigation by the police authorities.  I have already spoken to the police and I will be receiving regular updates.

“Mrs Martin will clearly also be very upset and I trust that everything that can be done, will be done, so that she can return to her home as soon as possible. My thoughts are with all those involved in this dreadful event.”

Anyone who witnessed the crash is asked to contact police by phoning 101.

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