IOPC clears officers whose car fatally struck man

The police watchdog has found officers who were in a car which fatally struck a father-of-two while responding to an emergency call "acted appropriately".

Roger Bagnall was crossing Yardley Road in Acocks Green, Birmingham, on 19 March when he was hit by a double-crewed police car responding to reports a man had been seen nearby carrying knives.

The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) said CCTV footage showed the 40-year-old stepped into the road as the car, which had its lights and sirens on, approached at a speed of between 55 and 61mph.

The driver slowed the car by about half and appeared to try to steer around Bagnall, the IOPC said, but he ran into the path of the vehicle.

Those actions had seemed to investigators to be his attempt to run across the road, the IOPC added.

An inquest into Bagnall's death at Birmingham Coroner's Court concluded that he died as a result of a road traffic crash, the IOPC stated.

Following the watchdog's probe into West Midlands Police officers, IOPC director Derrick Campbell said: "Our sympathies are with Mr Bagnall's family and friends, and to all those affected by his death and the tragic nature of it.

"In line with our role we independently looked at the circumstances of the collision, along with the actions and decisions of the officers involved.

"We found that they had acted appropriately and in line with police policies and procedures. There was no indication they had behaved in a manner that would justify the bringing of disciplinary proceedings, or committed a criminal offence.

"We provided the coroner with our investigation report to assist with the inquest proceedings and help provide answers to any questions about what happened that evening."

Bagnall was described by his "devastated" family as a "beloved partner, dad, brother and son" in an earlier tribute.

His relatives had said: "Roger had the biggest heart and loved to make everyone smile with his humour and wit.

"We loved him very much and will miss him dearly, but we take comfort in the fact his spirit will live on through his children."

Follow BBC Birmingham on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.