Victim in her 60s struck and killed by driver fleeing police—IOPC launches investigation into met’s involvement

 Two young men have been arrested after a woman in her 60s was killed during a police chase in Edgware, north-west London. The fatal incident occurred at approximately 14:10 GMT on Tuesday, when a car being pursued by police struck the pedestrian on Grahame Park Way, near a residential area and busy pedestrian crossing.

The suspects, aged 18 and 19, were arrested on Wednesday on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving and failing to stop at the scene. According to the Metropolitan Police, the driver fled immediately after the crash, abandoning the vehicle on nearby Franco Avenue. Both men remain in police custody.

Emergency services responded quickly, but the woman was pronounced dead at the scene. Her identity has not yet been made public, but police confirmed her age and said her next of kin are being supported by specially trained officers.

The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) has opened an inquiry into the Metropolitan Police’s role in the events leading up to the crash. A spokesperson confirmed that the Met voluntarily referred the case, prompting the watchdog to declare an independent investigation just over two hours after the incident. IOPC investigators have begun collecting CCTV footage, witness statements, and police records.

“Our inquiries are still at a very early stage,” the IOPC said, adding that a forensic examination of the abandoned vehicle was underway.

The scene of the collision, Grahame Park Way, is a busy stretch of road flanked by modern flats and dense trees, with a pedestrian crossing where the crash occurred. Local residents reported hearing a screech of tyres followed by a loud bang, describing the aftermath as “horrific.”

One witness, who declined to be named, said: “I heard shouting and ran out to see the police everywhere and the poor woman lying in the road. It’s devastating—she didn’t stand a chance.”

The area remained cordoned off for several hours while collision investigators and forensic teams examined the site. Bus routes and traffic were diverted, with officers appealing for any dashcam footage from the area around the time of the crash.

While the precise nature of the police pursuit remains unclear, the IOPC investigation will determine whether officers followed proper protocol and whether their actions contributed to the tragedy.

The Metropolitan Police stressed their cooperation with the investigation and appealed to the public for help: “We understand the public concern when a death occurs during a police-related incident, and we are doing all we can to support the investigation while keeping the victim’s family informed.”

Anyone with information has been urged to contact the Met or Crimestoppers anonymously.