Police name fatal M180 fire man

Police said they were unable to rescue Mr Toombs because of the extensive fire

A man who died in a car fire on a Lincolnshire motorway after being followed by police has been named.

Sean Toombs, 46, was driving a car when it caught fire on the M180 near Scunthorpe while being pursued by Lincolnshire Police on 13 October.

Police said Mr Toombs, from Alford, Lincolnshire, had been arrested and bailed the day before his death.

The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) is investigating the force's contact with Mr Toombs.

The IPCC said Mr Toombs was taken into custody after the vehicle he was in was recognised by an automatic number plate recognition system on 12 October.

Forensic work

Police would not reveal why he was arrested, but said he was released on bail later that day.

The IPCC said officers then followed him on 13 October after the car he was driving was again recognised by the system.

The pursuit crossed over into the Humberside Police force area and continued on to the M180.

Humberside police are investigating the circumstances surrounding the death on behalf of the coroner and are liaising with the IPCC.

A police spokeswoman said detailed forensic work was ongoing to establish the cause of the fire and the death.

Witnesses or anyone with information should contact Humberside Police.