Off-road biker left critical after crash that followed police pursuit
A man has been left in critical condition following a police operation targeting anti-social behaviour in the Wigan area, Greater Manchester Police (GMP) has said.
Just before 4.45pm on Sunday (June 6), GMP officers on off-road bikes were following a man on an off-road moped when he failed to stop at the officer’s request.
A pursuit ensued and the man, in his twenties, came off the moped on Shuttle Street in Tyldesley and was taken to hospital where he remains in a critical condition.
The incident has been referred to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC).
Police Constable John Cavanagh, from GMP’s Serious Investigation Collision Unit, said: “Our thoughts are with the man’s family who are understandably distressed whilst he fights for his life in hospital.
“A cordon is currently in place at the scene and we have referred the incident to the IOPC due to the police contact in the moments before this incident. We will do all we can to support any subsequent investigation.”
Officers from the force have been pro-actively targeting anti-social behaviour using specialist mounted officers and off-road bike teams as part of Operation Bluefin in a bid to crack down on anti-social behaviour and youth crime in hotspot areas across the borough.
In March the team seized five off-road bikes and a Ford Transit van that were being driven illegally in the area.
