Officers hurt in fatal van blast

The officers were approaching the van when it exploded

A driver died and five police officers were hurt when a van exploded as it was being followed by police in Liverpool.

The white Transit van pulled over on St James Place, off Park Road in Toxteth, on Wednesday night, but as police approached it burst into flames.

The van driver and five officers were taken to hospital for treatment but the driver later died.

Merseyside Police have confirmed the van contained gas cylinders but have stressed there is no terrorist link.

Three police officers are said to have serious burns injuries and remain in hospital for treatment.

A fourth with injuries described as "significant" and another officer with minor injuries have now been discharged.

Police are trying to find out the cause of the blast but they have said there were no explosives in the vehicle.

We can only speculate what caused the explosion Asst Ch Con Simon Byrne

The case has been referred to the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC).

A patrol car began a "slow pursuit" of the van after an officer spotted the driver "acting suspiciously" in Marmaduke Street, Edge Hill, just before 2200 BST.

When the white Ford Transit failed to respond to signals to pull over, the patrol Pc began a pursuit, joined by other officers.

The pursuit carried on for seven minutes until the van stopped on Park Road, Toxteth.

Officers got out of their vehicles and began to approach but an explosion ripped through the back of the van.

The driver, who is described as a white man in his early 40s, was treated at the scene by paramedics but later died in Royal Liverpool Hospital.

'Exceptional' bravery

Asst Ch Con Simon Byrne said: "We can only speculate what caused the explosion and that will come in due course, once we have forensically examined the van and immediate scene.

"However, we can clearly say this was not, in any way, a terrorist attack.

"I would like to pay tribute to my officers, the paramedics involved and the local community.

"A number of officers were injured, either in the explosion or when trying to help the deceased when he was on fire.

"These officers showed exceptional bravery and our thoughts are with them and their families as they begin their recovery."

Nearby houses had to be evacuated but residents have since been allowed to return home.

There was no access to Park Road from Upper Parliament Street to its junction with Upper Warwick Street on Thursday morning.

Traffic was being diverted along Princess Avenue.