Crash officer 'acted correctly'

Christopher Morrison was one of three people who died in the crash

An officer involved in a police pursuit which ended in a crash, killing three people, acted correctly, the police watchdog has concluded.

Christopher Morrison, 23, of Middleton; Cassie Fox, 19, of Monsall; and Paul Bunting died when their car struck a garden wall in Chadderton, Oldham.

Their car was being followed by police after failing to stop at a red light.

The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) said officers were right to pursue the car.

It said there was a considerable distance between the police car and the other vehicle when it crashed.

Naseem Malik, IPCC Commissioner for the North West, said: "It is an absolute tragedy that the incident has resulted in such a loss of life, but it would be totally wrong to suggest the officer is in any way accountable for the outcome.

"Instead the focus must be on the manner of driving of the Vauxhall Vectra and the terrible, and ultimately fatal, risks the driver took."

A woman was critically injured in the crash

Mr Morrison's parents Bernice and Joe paid tribute to their son, saying he was "well-liked".

"It's a terrible waste for all of them who died.

"I hope people of that same age group don't do anything similar and I just hope something good comes out of this, " added the couple.

Police said the other man killed, Mr Bunting, who was of no fixed abode, had a seven-year-old daughter.

An 18-year-old woman survived the crash in the early hours of Sunday and is critically ill in hospital.

I am entirely satisfied that the police officer did everything correctly Naseem Malik, IPCC Commissioner

Police tried to stop the Vauxhall Vectra at the Mumps junction in Oldham town centre.

It initially stopped, but then the driver sped away.

The IPCC said the pursuit lasted two minutes before the Vauxhall driver lost control and hit a wall outside a row of houses.

Ms Malik said investigators had "thoroughly assessed" all the evidence.

"From our assessment I am entirely satisfied that the police officer did everything correctly," Ms Malik said.

"The police officer was duty bound to pursue the vehicle and he followed all necessary policy and procedures in terms of ensuring his control room was fully aware of what was happening.

"The in-car video footage gives clear evidence of the pursuit and the Vectra was being driven at high speed.

"When the Vectra went out of control the police vehicle was at least 200 yards (183m) behind."

The IPCC said it would not be investigating the case any further.