Security camera footage has emerged that appears to show several police vehicles pursuing a car just minutes before a fatal crash that claimed seven lives, including two police officers, near Middlesbrough. The video clip is believed to have been recorded on Lime Road at 03:36 BST on Saturday morning.

This timing places the apparent pursuit approximately three minutes before a Volkswagen Passat, travelling the wrong way on the A66, collided head-on with a marked police vehicle. The collision resulted in the deaths of the car's occupants and the two officers in the police vehicle. The BBC has learned that the police car involved in the fatal incident was not part of the earlier pursuit and that the chase had concluded before the collision occurred.

The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) has launched an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the tragic event. This is a mandatory referral from Cleveland Police, indicating the gravity with which the incident is being treated. The investigation will aim to establish the sequence of events leading up to the crash and the roles of the police vehicles involved.

The emergence of the video footage adds a significant new dimension to the ongoing investigation. It raises questions about the potential connection between the police chase and the subsequent fatal collision. The IOPC's findings will be crucial in determining if any actions taken during the pursuit contributed to the outcome, or if the events were coincidental.

Cleveland Police have stated their full cooperation with the IOPC investigation. The force acknowledged the tragic loss of life and expressed condolences to the families of all those involved. Details regarding the individuals involved in the pursuit and the fatal collision have not yet been fully disclosed, pending the ongoing investigation and formal identification processes.

Experts in road safety and police conduct have commented that such investigations are vital for maintaining public trust. They emphasize the need for thorough reviews of pursuit policies and their application, particularly when they occur in close proximity to serious road incidents. The IOPC's role is to provide an independent assessment of the police's actions.

Further details are expected to emerge as the IOPC gathers evidence, including witness statements and forensic analysis of the crash site. The exact nature of the initial pursuit, including the reason for it and its conclusion, will be a key focus of the investigation. The public awaits clarity on how these two separate, yet chronologically close, events unfolded.

The A66 remains a significant transport artery, and the incident has caused disruption and concern in the local community. The investigation is ongoing, and the full report from the IOPC will be critical in understanding the causes of this devastating collision.