Driver found dead by family hours after SOS alert to police
BBCA police force has referred itself to the watchdog after it was unable to locate a driver despite receiving an iPhone crash SOS alert message.
Nadeem Hussain was found dead in his car, which crashed down an embankment on the M61, by his family - 27 hours after Lancashire Police received the alert.
A Lancashire Police spokesman said: "An iPhone crash SOS alert message was received by the force control room at shortly after 22:00 GMT on Saturday 21 [March], but after an attempt to recontact the number this call was closed.
"We referred ourselves to the Independent Office for Police Conduct who determined that an investigation should be conducted by ourselves. A local investigation is now underway."
The spokesman added: "Mr Hussain was reported missing at 14:14 GMT 22 March. He was graded as medium risk and enquiries to try and find him were ongoing.
"At 01.56 GMT on Monday 23 March we received a call from Mr Hussain's family to say they had found his car off the M61 down the embankment in a wooded area on its side.
"Police attended and sadly Mr Hussain was found to be deceased inside the vehicle.
"A Home Office post-mortem examination showed he would have died instantly from his injuries."
The force also said: "Our thoughts remain with Nadeem Hussain's loved ones at this distressing time. They are being supported by specially trained officers."
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