UK

Boy, 15, on e-bike dies in collision after being followed by police in Salford

A 15-year-old boy died when his e-bike collided with an ambulance in Salford (Alamy/PA)
A 15-year-old boy died when his e-bike collided with an ambulance in Salford (Alamy/PA) A 15-year-old boy died when his e-bike collided with an ambulance in Salford (Alamy/PA)

A 15-year-old boy died when his e-bike collided with an ambulance after he was followed by police.

Flowers and candles with tributes to the teenager, named locally as Saul Cookson, have been laid at the scene in Salford, Greater Manchester.

Traffic officers began following Saul along Fitzwarren Street in Salford at around 2pm on Thursday.

They continued into Lower Seedley Road before the police vehicle was blocked off by bollards, Greater Manchester Police said.

The collision between the e-bike and the ambulance took place in Langworthy Road “a short time later”, the force added.

The incident has been referred to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) “in line with normal proceedings” and the watchdog is now leading the investigation.

An IOPC spokesperson said: “We were notified by Greater Manchester Police due to the fact a police vehicle had been following the e-bike shortly before the collision.”

Messages at the scene say “rest in peace my bro”, “fly high”, “shining bright up there” and “forever 15”.

Saul’s sister said on Facebook: “Words cannot describe my feelings at the moment. Rest in peace Saul, I love you.”

A GoFundMe page has been set up in a bid to raise £2,000 for his funeral, which had raised more than £1,100 by Friday morning.

Greater Manchester Police: “In line with normal proceedings, the incident has been referred to the IOPC who are now leading the investigation.

“Our thoughts are with the family and friends of the boy who tragically died.”

It comes after 15-year-old Harvey Evans and 16-year-old Kyrees Sullivan were killed in an e-bike collision after being followed by a police van in Cardiff last month, sparking a riot in the aftermath.