A driver who was involved in a car crash after failing to stop for police in Colchester is fighting for his life in hospital.

The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) is carrying out an investigation into incident, which happened on Saturday night.

A black Volkswagen Golf failed to stop for Essex police in Severalls Lane at around 11.20pm.

Officers lost sight of the car in Ipswich Road.

A short time later it was found to have been involved in a collision at the junction of Severalls Lane and Newcomen Way.

The driver of the car, a man in his 30s, has been taken to hospital in a critical condition.

A spokesman for Essex Police said: “The incident has been referred to the IOPC which is standard procedure and the IOPC has started an independent investigation.”

The road has been closed.

The police spokesman said the closure may have had some impact on the route of the Colchester Half Marathon this morning.