Archive - Thursday, 6 September 2001


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Pair die after police car chase

TWO men died at the scene of a horrific accident when their car ploughed in to a lamp post, following a police chase.

Friends Tom Gardiner, 20, of Mankley Road, Leonard Stanley and Andrew Smith, 31, of Green Bank, Brockworth died just after midnight on Saturday morning.

The white Ford Escort XR3i careered out of control on Hempsted Bridge in Bristol Road, hitting a lamp post after it was pursued through Gloucester by an unmarked police car.

Mr Gardiner was the son of Danny Gardiner, currently serving a life sentence for the murder of Alan 'Chalkie' White in 1992. He has continually protested his innocence.

Brian Gardiner, Tom's grandfather, told the News & Journal his grandson was "a very gentle-natured boy." Police officers spotted the vehicle after it failed to stop in Park Road, Gloucester.

It was followed along Bristol Road out of Gloucester and hit the lamp post at Hempsted Bridge.

Ambulance and Fire crews raced to the scene but both men were pronounced dead.

* For full story see this week's Stroud News & Journal.