Off-duty officer dies in pursuit

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An off-duty police sergeant died when his motorbike crashed as he was being followed by police in London.

Officers had been trying to halt Irf Motani, 36, as they investigated reports a man had fallen off a motorbike nearby.

Mr Montani appeared to ignore their warnings as he rode along Croham Valley Road, Croydon and was followed by the car before it lost sight of him.

Police then found Mr Montani lying dead in nearby Broadcoombe Road.

They had been guided to the scene by the ambulance service who had received reports of a crash.

The Metropolitan Police's Directorate of Professional Standards and the Independent Police Complaints Commission have started an inquiry.

No other vehicle was involved in the fatal collision on 17 September.

A post-mortem examination revealed Mr Motani, who was married with two children, died from multiple injuries.

An inquest has been opened at Croydon Coroner's Court.