A GMP officer is to face a gross misconduct charge after a young dad died during a police chase.

Luke Campbell, 24, was pronounced dead at the scene of the smash, which happened close to Manchester United’s stadium in the early hours of Sunday February 21st last year.

The ‘doting’ father, from Sholver, in Oldham , was due to celebrate his son’s first birthday the next day but died just hours beforehand at the scene.

Now the the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) has concluded an investigation into the contact between Greater Manchester Police and the death of Mr Campbell in Stretford.

Mr Campbell died after the Mercedes S320 car he was driving collided with a Mini and then a CCTV stanchion at the junction of Warwick Road and Sir Matt Busby Way.

Mr Campbell was being pursued by a marked police vehicle prior to the collision, prompting a referral to the IPCC and subsequent independent investigation.

In a statement the IPCC said: “In the opinion of the IPCC investigator, there is evidence that PC Simon Folwell, the driver of the police vehicle, has a case to answer for gross misconduct in relation to his actions prior to and during the pursuit.

“GMP disagreed with the IPCC’s finding of evidence of a case to answer for gross misconduct, resulting in IPCC Associate Commissioner Guido Liguori directing a hearing take place.”

Mr Liguori said: “Once again, I would like to offer my condolences to the family and friends of Mr Campbell. My decision to direct disciplinary proceedings was not taken lightly; it follows careful analysis of all the available evidence, for which an officer’s actions must be held to account.”

A date for the gross misconduct hearing is to be confirmed by GMP.

At the time of his death family friend Wayne Reading described grounds worker Mr Campbell - known to his friends as ‘Guke’ - as a ‘bubbly, cheeky chappie’ who will be sadly missed.

Mr Reading said Mr Campbell’s father died of cancer a year ago and he had been struggling with the anniversary of his death.

He said: “His head was in a messed up place. He had a lot of pressure because of the anniversary of his dad’s death.”

(Image: Vince Cole)

Mr Reading added that Mr Campbell leaves his sister, Amy-leigh Rogerson Campbell, and his girlfriend, Nicola Bell.

Traffic officers began pursuing the Mercedes S320 being driven by Mr Campbell after it made off at speed from Manchester city centre shortly before 3.30am on Sunday.

Just a minute into the chase, the Mercedes collided with a Mini at a set of traffic lights on Chester Road at the junction with Warwick Road and then hit a barrier.

Two female passengers of the Mini who were taken to hospital following the collision both remain in hospital.

A 19-year-old woman suffered fractured ribs, while the 22-year-old suffered serious injuries including multiple broken bones.

A GMP spokesperson said: “This matter is subject to an IPCC investigation and as such it would be inappropriate to comment further at this time.”