Police watchdog to look at car and e-bike crash

Emergency services were called to Willian Road, in Hitchin, on Monday

The British Transport Police (BTP) has referred itself to a watchdog after a crash involving a car and an e-bike.

Hertfordshire Police said a 46-year-old male cyclist suffered life-threatening injuries and was airlifted to hospital after Monday's collision at about 14:00 BST on Willian Road in Hitchin.

The force said the referral to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) was because the BTP had an "interaction" with the cyclist, who was from Hitchin, before the incident.

It had been with a BTP officer who had been driving a marked white Peugeot 3008.

The IOPC said the cyclist was asked to stop, did a U-turn and rode off.

The BTP police vehicle then turned around and followed the cyclist, who was then involved in the collision.

Hertfordshire Police said a blue modified e-bike had travelled along Purwell Lane towards the junction with Willian Road, where it collided with a white BMW X6.

Officers have appealed for anyone who saw the e-bike, the white BMW and the marked police vehicle to get in touch. They have also appealed for footage.