Missing men: Police watchdog considers whether to investigate River Hull incident
RESPONSE: Police and other emergency services arrive near Victoria Pier
EXCLUSIVE
By Simon Bristow, Co-Editor
Police watchdog the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) is assessing whether to investigate Humberside Police over an incident in which two men went missing in the River Hull following a police pursuit.
A major search around the confluence of the rivers Hull and Humber was launched on Friday night following reports that two men had entered the River Hull after crashing the car they were travelling in into a wall in Charlotte Street.
The search, which involved Humberside Police, HM Coastguard, Humberside Fire and Rescue Service, Humber Rescue, underwater search teams and a helicopter, was scaled back after about an hour in challenging conditions including poor visibility, low clouds, high winds and driving rain.
Police say they are “extremely concerned” for the men’s welfare. They have yet to be identified and are still missing.
In a short statement issued to The Hull Story today, a spokesperson for the IOPC said: “Following contact from Humberside Police, we have requested further information which we will assess in due course to determine whether an investigation is required.”
SEARCH: A helicopter involved in the search
A spokeswoman for Humberside Police said: “Due to the police pursuit after the vehicle failed to stop for officers, a mandatory referral has been made to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC).”
In a statement on the incident on Saturday, the force said: “Yesterday uniformed officers on patrol in Hull attempted to stop a vehicle that was being driven with a defective rear light for a routine check.
“The vehicle failed to stop and officers engaged in a short pursuit, following the vehicle to Charlotte Street where the car collided with a wall.
“It is reported that two men fled the vehicle on foot and are believed to have entered the River Hull near to Charlotte Street at approximately 8.30pm.”
The search is continuing and anyone with information can call the non-emergency number 101 quoting log 461 of 5 December.