Man dies after police chase ends with car ploughing into pub and bursting into flames

A man has died after a car ploughed into a pub and burst into flames following a police chase.

The vehicle crashed into the White Lion pub in Heywood, Manchester, at around 3am this morning before it burst into flames.

The car, believed to be a Dacia Sandero, was travelling on Bolton Road in Heywood where it failed to stop for a liveried police patrol.

A pursuit took place on Rochdale Road East, but a decision was soon made to bring the chase to an end. Shortly after, the Dacia collided with the pub.

One man, the driver of the vehicle, was pronounced dead at the scene.  

A man has died after a car ploughed into a pub and burst into flames following a police chase. Pictured: Emergency services at the scene today

A man has died after a car ploughed into a pub and burst into flames following a police chase. Pictured: Emergency services at the scene today 

One man, the driver of the vehicle, was pronounced dead at the scene. Pictured: The car has been covered over by emergency services

One man, the driver of the vehicle, was pronounced dead at the scene. Pictured: The car has been covered over by emergency services 

Shocking photographs seen by MailOnline show a burnt car, with the make and model no longer identifiable. 

They also show the extent of damage to the pub, which appears completely burnt on one side, as a pile of bricks lie beneath it.

Emergency services can be seen dealing with the incident, while a cordon is in place.

A spokesperson for Manchester Police said: 'Around 3.15am this morning (Monday 1 July 2024), we received a report of a road traffic collision that had occurred on York Street, Heywood.

'Initial enquiries suggest that a Dacia Sandero was travelling on Bolton Road in Heywood where it failed to stop for a liveried police patrol.

The scene on York Street Heywood where a car has smashed through a pub wall and exploded

The scene on York Street Heywood where a car has smashed through a pub wall and exploded

'A short pursuit commenced onto Rochdale Road East. A few moments later a decision was made to discontinue the pursuit.

'Shortly after the discontinuation, the Dacia collided with a business property on York Street. Sadly, the driver of the vehicle, a male, was pronounced deceased at the scene.

'Following the police contact prior to the collision, in-line with normal procedure, the matter has been referred to the Independent Office for Police Conduct.

'Officers from GMP’s Serious Collision Investigation Unit (SCIU) are appealing for witnesses to the collision or anybody with footage of the incident to come forward.

Anyone with any information, CCTV, or dashcam footage is asked to contact police on 0161 856 4741 quoting log number 299 of 01/07/24.'