Independent Watchdog Finds Police Actions Appropriate in Tragic Birmingham Collision
The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) has concluded that two West Midlands Police officers acted appropriately when their marked patrol vehicle was involved in a fatal collision with a Greggs worker in Birmingham last year. The ruling comes after a comprehensive investigation into the incident that claimed the life of 40-year-old father-of-two Roger Bagnall.
Tragic Events on Yardley Road
The collision occurred on March 19 last year on Yardley Road in the Acocks Green area of Birmingham. Mr Bagnall was crossing the road when he was struck by the police vehicle, which was responding to emergency reports of a man carrying a knife in the vicinity. The IOPC investigation, which began immediately after the incident following a mandatory referral from West Midlands Police, revealed that the patrol car had its emergency lights and sirens activated as it travelled along the street.
According to the watchdog's findings, the police vehicle was travelling at between 55 and 61 miles per hour when Mr Bagnall stepped into the road. The driver responded by braking to between 25 and 35 miles per hour and attempted to steer around the pedestrian. Tragically, Mr Bagnall appeared to be trying to run across the road and moved into the path of the vehicle, resulting in the fatal impact.
Comprehensive Investigation Process
The IOPC conducted a thorough investigation that included:
- House-to-house inquiries in the local area
- Review of police body-worn video footage
- Analysis of dashcam footage and vehicle telematics data from the police car
- Examination of CCTV from the surrounding area
- Statements from the officers involved
- A successful public appeal for additional footage of the incident
Following this extensive evidence gathering, the IOPC determined that there were no grounds for disciplinary proceedings against the officers and found no indication that they had committed any criminal offence.
Inquest Conclusion and Official Statements
A five-day inquest at Birmingham Coroner's Court concluded on Friday, January 23, with the coroner ruling that Mr Bagnall died as a result of a road traffic collision. The IOPC provided their investigation report to assist with the inquest proceedings.
IOPC Director Derrick Campbell expressed sympathy for Mr Bagnall's family and friends, stating: "Our sympathies are with Mr Bagnall's family and friends, and to all those affected by his death and the tragic nature of it. In line with our role we independently looked at the circumstances of the collision, along with the actions and decisions of the officers involved. We found that they had acted appropriately and in line with police policies and procedures."
The officers involved immediately requested an ambulance and began CPR at the scene, but despite their efforts and those of paramedics who arrived shortly afterwards, Mr Bagnall was pronounced dead at the location of the collision.
