Investigation concludes police 'were not pursuing' man when he was struck by a truck

The scene of the collision at the junction of Spotland Road, St Mary's Gate and Hunter's Lane

The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) have concluded an investigation into Greater Manchester Police following the death of a 52-year-old man from Rochdale.

• www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/news-features/2/news-headlines/116138/investigation-launched-into-the-circumstances-surrounding-mans-death

Thomas Grogan died on Monday 12 February 2018 after being struck by a DAF tipper truck near the traffic lights at the junction of Spotland Road and St. Mary’s Gate shortly after 3.30pm. An ambulance attended but sadly Mr Grogan died at the scene.

• www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/news-features/2/news-headlines/116137/man-died-in-collision-with-lorry-that-closed-st-marys-gate

The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) said that their investigation, completed in July 2018, looked at the contact GMP had with Mr Grogan on the day of his death.

On Friday 8 February 2019, an inquest recorded a conclusion of accidental death.

A spokeperson for the IOPC said: "Our investigators attended the scene and the post incident procedures. Statements were taken from all of the PCSOs involved and members of the public who witnessed the incident. CCTV, police body-worn video, and vehicle-mounted camera footage was collected, and a forensic collision reconstruction report was carried out.

"As part of GMP’s enquiries into an alleged incident of attempted shoplifting at a market stall in Rochdale Exchange Shopping Centre that morning, a PCSO spoke to Mr Grogan to inform him that he may be connected to the incident. From the evidence we have, we believe this conversation took place soon after 12.25pm.

"At around 3.30pm that afternoon it appears that Mr Grogan witnessed two different PCSOs walking towards him as he was sat down at an underpass. One of the PCSOs called out Mr Grogan’s name.

"Mr Grogan quickly moved away from the approaching PCSOs and jumped over a railing at the traffic lights. When Mr Grogan attempted to cross the road, he was hit by the truck. At the point at which Mr Grogan was hit, the PCSOs were a significant distance away and were not pursuing him."

IOPC Regional Director Amanda Rowe said: “The death of Mr Grogan appears to be a very sad accident. Our thoughts remain with his family and friends and all those directly affected by this incident.

"The evidence we gathered clearly indicates that the contact GMP had with Mr Grogan that day was minimal. Sadly, it appears that Mr Grogan’s decision to cross the road led to his death.

"We didn’t find any evidence that the conduct of any of the PCSOs involved that day was of concern, and they were all treated as witnesses throughout our investigation."