Salford: Police not at fault over e-bike death – watchdog

Salford: A tragic incident unfolded when a 15-year-old boy, Saul Cookson, lost his life while riding an e-bike. His mother, Emma Frendo, described him as “the sweetest, most kindest boy ever.”

The police were briefly following Saul before he collided with an ambulance. A report confirmed that the officers acted appropriately during the situation. The accident happened on June 8, 2023, around 2 PM.

Saul was riding a Sur-Ron e-bike when he crashed into the ambulance on Langworthy Road. Despite paramedics’ efforts, he suffered severe injuries and sadly passed away in the hospital shortly after.

The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) investigated the incident after Greater Manchester Police referred it. They found that the officers didn’t engage in a pursuit and only followed Saul for about 25 seconds.

The IOPC noted that while the police presence might have influenced Saul’s riding, there was no basis for criminal charges against the officers. The ambulance driver had just 0.6 seconds to react before the collision occurred.

Catherine Bates, the IOPC regional director, expressed condolences, stating that any road death is a tragedy. She emphasized the investigation aimed to clarify the events leading to the accident.

Emma Frendo, Saul’s mother, paid tribute to her beloved son, highlighting the deep loss felt by family and friends.