Update on moped collision in Swindon

A man involved in a moped collision in Butterworth Street, Swindon, last Thursday morning (01/08) has sadly died.

At around 12.30am, officers responded to a report of a collision between a dark-coloured moped and a parked car.

A man in his 50s was taken to hospital in a life-threatening condition. Despite the best efforts of the emergency services, the man has since passed away in hospital.

It has been confirmed by our partners in the emergency services that the man suffered a medical episode prior to the collision, which has been recorded as the cause of death.

His next of kin have been informed and our thoughts are with his family at this sad time.

The incident was initially referred to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) due to police contact with the moped rider prior to the incident.

The IOPC has since determined there is not a necessity to direct an investigation and the matter has been returned to Wiltshire Police to consider locally.

Roads Policing Lead Investigator T/DC Williams said: “Firstly, my thoughts are with the man’s family at this tragic time.

“We understand the public concern into this incident and as a matter of protocol we made a mandatory referral to the IOPC due to police contact with the moped rider before the collision occurred.

“It is important to clarify what ‘police contact’ means here.

“The moped came to the attention of one of our marked Roads Policing vehicles in Park Lane, which then followed the moped into Church Place. The moped then turned right down a pedestrian entrance into GWR Park and was lost to sight.

“At no point were blue emergency lights illuminated.

“Officers then drove to the Park Lane/Faringdon Road roundabout and got out on foot to search the park.

“Sadly, a few minutes later, we received a report from a member of the public that the moped had been involved in a collision with a parked vehicle in Butterworth Street.

“Officers attended the scene, and a cordon was set up to allow for medical aid to be provided and collision enquiries to be carried out.

“As is protocol, the incident was referred to the IOPC, which determined that the investigation into the collision could be carried out by Wiltshire Police’s Serious Collision Investigation Team.

“Following the update on the man’s cause of death, our investigation will be closed down.

“Again, I wish to pass on my condolences to the victim’s family at this tragic time.”