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Officers hurt in fatal van blast |
Officers hurt in fatal van blast |
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(about 5 hours later)
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A driver died and five police officers were hurt when a van exploded as it was being followed by police in Liverpool. | A driver died and five police officers were hurt when a van exploded as it was being followed by police in Liverpool. |
The white Transit van pulled over on St James Place, off Park Road in Toxteth on Wednesday night, but as police approached it burst into flames. | The white Transit van pulled over on St James Place, off Park Road in Toxteth on Wednesday night, but as police approached it burst into flames. |
The van driver and five officers were taken to hospital for treatment but the van driver later died. | The van driver and five officers were taken to hospital for treatment but the van driver later died. |
Three police officers are said to have serious injuries, while a fourth has injuries described as "significant". | Three police officers are said to have serious injuries, while a fourth has injuries described as "significant". |
A fifth man suffered minor injuries. | A fifth man suffered minor injuries. |
'Slow pursuit' | 'Slow pursuit' |
Police are trying to find out the cause of the blast but they have said there were no explosives in the vehicle and there was no terrorist link. | Police are trying to find out the cause of the blast but they have said there were no explosives in the vehicle and there was no terrorist link. |
The case has been referred to the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC). | The case has been referred to the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC). |
Merseyside Police said a patrol car had been in "slow pursuit" of the van before it stopped just before it exploded. | Merseyside Police said a patrol car had been in "slow pursuit" of the van before it stopped just before it exploded. |
Motorists are advised to avoid the area as roads have been closed. | Motorists are advised to avoid the area as roads have been closed. |
Nearby houses had to be evacuated but residents have since been allowed to return home. | Nearby houses had to be evacuated but residents have since been allowed to return home. |
There was no access to Park Road from Upper Parliament Street to its junction with Upper Warwick Street on Thursday morning. | There was no access to Park Road from Upper Parliament Street to its junction with Upper Warwick Street on Thursday morning. |
Traffic was being diverted along Princess Avenue. | Traffic was being diverted along Princess Avenue. |
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