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Officers hurt in fatal van blast Officers hurt in fatal van blast
(about 5 hours later)
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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