Man riding 'stolen' motorbike seriously hurt while 'fleeing police' in Hodge Hill

A man police say was riding a 'stolen motorbike' has been left seriously hurt in a crash on a Birmingham road. The rider was badly injured while 'fleeing police' on Heath Way, in Hodge Hill, this afternoon.

The incident took place just before 2pm, with the road closed for several hours. Police warned drivers to avoid the area and take alternative routes as they remained on scene past 6pm.

A referral has since been made to the police complaints watchdog, the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC), to investigate the incident as is "normal procedure" when police have had contact with someone who has been injured. Police say the man was riding a motorbike when he sustained serious injuries during a collision with a car.

Read more: Heartwarming reason a 'mini forest' is set to appear in Birmingham park

The force said he had failed to stop for police officers before the collision took place. No one else was hurt in the collision.

Sharing an update, West Midlands Police said: "We're currently at the scene of a collision in Heath Way, Hodge Hill. It involved a motorbike and a car at just before 2pm.

"A man from the motorbike has sustained serious injuries. No-one else has been injured.

"The rider of the motorbike, which had been reported stolen, had failed to stop for officers prior to the collision. The road is currently closed and people are asked to use alternative routes.

"A referral has been made to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) as is normal procedure in such circumstances."