Driver trapped for an hour after BMW involved in police chase before Walsall crash
The driver of a suspected stolen car being pursued by police was trapped for over an hour after it hit a tree near Walsall's Banks's Stadium.
Police had been pursuing the car, which they believe was stolen and on cloned plates, on Monday afternoon.
But officers had abandoned the chase before the collision occurred, shortly before 3pm at the junction of Bescot Crescent and Wallows Lane.
The man was trapped in his car for more than an hour, as crews from West Midlands Ambulance Service and West Midlands Fire Service worked to safely release him.
He was taken to hospital with leg injuries.
The incident has been referred to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC), a spokesman from West Midlands Police said.
The force spokesman added: "We are investigating after a car collided with a tree in Bescot Crescent, Palfrey, Walsall, at about 2.45pm on Monday, May 11.
"Officers who suspected the BMW was stolen and on cloned plates had pursued the car but had abandoned the pursuit before the collision.
Procedure
"The driver of the car was taken to hospital with leg injuries which are serious but not life-threatening.
"The incident has been referred to the IOPC as is standard procedure with all incidents of this nature."
A spokesman from West Midlands Ambulance Service said: “He was trapped inside the car as a result of both his injuries and the damage caused to the vehicle.
"Ambulance staff worked alongside colleagues from the fire service to ensure the man was safely cut free, monitoring him throughout the process which took about an hour.
“He was treated for multiple serious injuries before being transported to Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Birmingham.
"The doctor from the Care Team travelled on the ambulance to help continue treat the patient whilst travelling to hospital.”
An ambulance and a paramedic officer from the West Midlands Care Team were sent to the scene.
