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| Two cyclists killed in Purley on Thames 'during police pursuit' | Two cyclists killed in Purley on Thames 'during police pursuit' |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| Two cyclists have been killed after being struck by a car that it is believed was being pursued by police through a village in Berkshire. | Two cyclists have been killed after being struck by a car that it is believed was being pursued by police through a village in Berkshire. |
| The victims, both men, died on Thursday evening in Purley on Thames, after apparently being hit by a black BMW convertible being sought by police officers. Witnesses said the car rolled over and the driver, who has been arrested, was cut from the vehicle. | The victims, both men, died on Thursday evening in Purley on Thames, after apparently being hit by a black BMW convertible being sought by police officers. Witnesses said the car rolled over and the driver, who has been arrested, was cut from the vehicle. |
| One of the cyclists was named locally as John Moorland, a 29-year-old father of two. The other was identified as having five children. | One of the cyclists was named locally as John Moorland, a 29-year-old father of two. The other was identified as having five children. |
| While Purley on Thames is among the areas affected by serious flooding, the road where the men were killed is on a hill and not thought to have been flooded. | While Purley on Thames is among the areas affected by serious flooding, the road where the men were killed is on a hill and not thought to have been flooded. |
| Thames Valley police said officers were called just before 9pm following what was described as a "fear for welfare incident" at an address on Purley Rise and targeted the black BMW. "The BMW, which was travelling on the A329 Purley Rise, subsequently collided with two cyclists, who both died at the scene," a police statement said. | Thames Valley police said officers were called just before 9pm following what was described as a "fear for welfare incident" at an address on Purley Rise and targeted the black BMW. "The BMW, which was travelling on the A329 Purley Rise, subsequently collided with two cyclists, who both died at the scene," a police statement said. |
| "Specialist officers are currently in the process of informing and supporting their next of kin. The driver of the BMW sustained injuries and was taken by ambulance to the Royal Berkshire hospital in Reading." | "Specialist officers are currently in the process of informing and supporting their next of kin. The driver of the BMW sustained injuries and was taken by ambulance to the Royal Berkshire hospital in Reading." |
| The section of the A329 was closed overnight while police examined the scene. The force has referred the incident to the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC), which is standard practice when deaths occur during police operations. | The section of the A329 was closed overnight while police examined the scene. The force has referred the incident to the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC), which is standard practice when deaths occur during police operations. |
| Moorland was identified by his mother-in-law, who gave her name only as Janet, as she left a bouquet of red and white flowers at the scene. She told the Press Association: "My daughter's in bits and the children too." Janet said the other cyclist was named Chris and was a father of five. | |
| One local man said he saw a flash of light outside his home, and looked out to see two bodies by the road. He said: "I've been told it was a police chase. The car rolled over and ended up outside the house and someone was being cut out of it. I didn't do anything as the police were already here." | One local man said he saw a flash of light outside his home, and looked out to see two bodies by the road. He said: "I've been told it was a police chase. The car rolled over and ended up outside the house and someone was being cut out of it. I didn't do anything as the police were already here." |
| Rick Jones, chairman of the parish council, said: "Reading is nearby and car crime is a normal occurrence in areas like that. I do know of cars being stolen and police chasing them, and that road where the incident happened lends itself to cars travelling fast. It's a shock. It's a very quiet village normally." | Rick Jones, chairman of the parish council, said: "Reading is nearby and car crime is a normal occurrence in areas like that. I do know of cars being stolen and police chasing them, and that road where the incident happened lends itself to cars travelling fast. It's a shock. It's a very quiet village normally." |
| An IPCC spokeswoman said: "We sent investigators to the scene and we are carrying out an assessment. Our people on the ground are looking into the circumstances and in time will decide the level of IPCC involvement." | An IPCC spokeswoman said: "We sent investigators to the scene and we are carrying out an assessment. Our people on the ground are looking into the circumstances and in time will decide the level of IPCC involvement." |