Fatal Handsworth crash referred to police watchdog

Muhammad Qasim died after a car crashed into a tree on Island Road.

The actions of police officers are under investigation following a fatal crash in Birmingham.

A man died after being thrown from a car that struck a tree on the central reservation in Island Road, Handsworth.

The crash happened earlier this month after West Midlands Police officers turned their vehicle around on nearby Church Lane when they noticed the BMW.

At the time the force referred itself to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC).

The crash happened shortly before 02:15 BST on 2 October, police said.

Muhammad Qasim, 29, was taken to hospital and later died, the IOPC confirmed.

Another man, found inside the car, was also treated in hospital.

A formal investigation has been launched by the IOPC, which has asked for any witnesses to come forward.

IOPC regional director David Ford said: "Our sympathies and thoughts are with Muhammad Qasim's family, friends and all those affected by this tragic incident."

Investigators have been gathering CCTV footage from along the route and carrying out house-to-house enquiries in the area, he added.