Investigators say high speed police pursuit had ended at time of fatalities

The investigation into the death of a man and a pregnant woman in Acton on Sunday night (10 February ) has revealed that they were not present at the burglary that prompted the initial police pursuit.

Shauna and Partick McDonagh, who were married and aged 18 and 19 respectively, died when their Renault Scenic was hit by a coach as they crossed to the wrong side of the dual carriageway on the A40 at around 9pm. It appears the car, which was travelling eastbound, attempted to cross to the westbound carriageway through a gap in the barrier.

A second man who was travelling in the car was taken to hospital. A large number of people travelling on the coach were checked by paramedics at the scene with two taken to hospital with minor injuries.

A statement issued by the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) said, “It is understood that police were pursuing the car, a Renault Scenic, for about 10 minutes but terminated the pursuit prior to the crash. A National Police Air Service helicopter was monitoring the progress of the Renault when it crashed.

“It has now been confirmed, as part of a separate police investigation, that the occupants of the Renault were not present at the time of an aggravated burglary reported to have taken place in Harrow. The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) investigation will examine the information the police had and the rationale for the pursuit.”

Patrick and Shauna McDonagh. Picture: Facebook

At least seven cars were reported to be involved in the initial pursuit by eye-witness. The high-speed chase began after police were called to a house in Pinner where three people said they had been threatened by four men who broke into their home. A man in his thirties said that he had been punched in the face and along with a man in his late sixties and a woman in her fifties, was threatened with a large hunting knife and a screwdriver by the men who demanded their valuables and said they would kill them if they didn’t comply.

This Wednesday (13 February) officers from the North West Command Unit investigating the burglary arrested a man believed to be aged 19 in Harrow. He remains in custody.

IOPC regional director Jonathan Green said: “My thoughts are with the families and friends of Patrick and Shauna, those injured and all those affected by this incident.

“It is important that we now establish all of the circumstances surrounding this collision.

“We have therefore launched an independent investigation into the events leading to the collision and immediately deployed our investigators to attend the scene and the post incident procedure.”

February 15, 2019