Overview
- Essex Police say officers pursued a motorbike in Ongar after it failed to stop, and the rider, a man in his 30s identified in reports as Paul Hardcastle Jr., died at the scene after a collision with a van.
- The van driver was arrested in connection with the crash and later released under investigation, according to police.
- The force has referred the case to the Independent Office for Police Conduct, which confirmed it will conduct an independent investigation.
- In a video posted Friday, Paul Hardcastle Sr. said he had a brief call with his son moments before the crash and recounted hearing, "I'll get back to you in five minutes."
- Hardcastle Sr. described his son's rushed trip for a saxophone needed for gigs after a missed flight and an impounded car, and suggested an unmarked police car may have briefly chased him, details not confirmed by police.