A marked Merseyside Police vehicle collided with a street sign on Main Street, Billinge, during wet conditions while responding to an emergency call. No injuries were reported, but the incident highlights the risks faced by emergency responders.
A marked Merseyside Police vehicle was involved in a collision with a street sign while responding to an emergency call in Billinge town centre. The incident occurred on Main Street, opposite the Spar garage, shortly after 11:50 pm on Monday, 21 April.
According to witnesses in the area, the police car crashed into a one-way sign during wet conditions. One local man said, “If you were wondering what all the sirens were a little earlier, apparently there was a police chase through the village and a police car collided with a street sign outside the Spar. Everyone seems OK though. Someone said the driver slid and ended up there. Lucky nobody was hurt.” Another resident noted, “Good job there was no one walking or crossing there as there usually is. It’s a busy corner that.”
A spokesperson for Merseyside Police confirmed the vehicle was responding to reports of suspicious circumstances in the area when the collision occurred. “We can confirm a marked police car responding to an emergency in Billinge on Monday (April 21) was in collision with a street sign. The incident happened as the vehicle was travelling on Main Street in wet conditions shortly after 11.50pm to a report of suspicious circumstances. The car was damaged but there were no reports of injuries.”
No individuals were reported injured in the incident, although the police car sustained damage. The accident highlights the challenging conditions officers can face when responding swiftly to emergency reports. Further updates or details on the emergency call to which the police were responding have not been released.
The Liverpool Echo is reporting on the incident from Billinge, providing the latest information on events impacting the local community.
Source: Noah Wire Services
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score:
9
Notes:
The incident is reported as occurring on Monday, 21 April, with the article dated shortly after. There are no indications that this is recycled or outdated news. It does not appear to be a press release but a timely news update from a local outlet.
Quotes check
Score:
8
Notes:
Direct quotes are attributed to local witnesses and a police spokesperson. These appear original and specific to this incident, with no evidence found of prior online references, suggesting these were likely collected firsthand.
Source reliability
Score:
7
Notes:
The narrative originates from the Liverpool Echo, a known regional news provider with a generally reliable record on local news. While reputable, it is a local outlet rather than a major national or international organisation.
Plausability check
Score:
10
Notes:
The claims are plausible and consistent with typical police response incidents in wet conditions. The details are specific and credible, with confirmation from official police spokesperson and eyewitnesses.
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): PASS
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): HIGH
Summary:
The narrative presents a fresh, plausible account of a police vehicle collision during an emergency response, with credible eyewitness accounts and official confirmation. The quotes appear original, and the source is a reputable local news outlet. There is no indication of recycled or outdated information.
