Police investigation launched into tragic death at River Avon in Bristol

Police are today investigating the death of a man in his 20s after a car crashed through railings alongside the River Avon in Bedminster and entered the water yesterday (February 25).

The incident took place on York Road - and a police vehicle was situated next to the broken railings for most of yesterday, while the car involved could be seen upside down in the water below.

Avon and Somerset Police has since confirmed there were three occupants in the car; the man in his 20s who died and two others who received medical attention. The force is now looking into how the vehicle came off the road.

A spokesperson said: “We responded to an incident in the early hours of Saturday 25 February after a car went through railings alongside the river in York Road, Bedminster, and entered the water. There were three occupants in the car, one of whom, a man in his 20s, has sadly died.

“The next of kin has been informed and our thoughts are with them during this difficult time. The family will be offered support from a specially-trained liaison officer. The two other occupants have received medical attention.

“An investigation is ongoing to ascertain how the vehicle came to be in the water. We are making a mandatory referral this incident to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC).”

The force has since said that the referral was a result of police being in the proximity at the time of the incident, and that there was no police pursuit.