Watchdog opts against probe into South Yorkshire Police failure to discover man's body after crash

South Yorkshire Police referred the matter to the Independent Office for Police Conduct, which has since ruled that an independent investigation is not needed.

LATEST: Family left heartbroken as tragic Sheffield schoolboy, 16, found dead at family home

The watchdog has passed the case back to the police force and it will be examined at a local level by South Yorkshire Police’s professional standards unit.

The IOPC said: “Having considered the referral from South Yorkshire Police, we decided the matter did not require investigation because there was no indication of a link between the actions of the police and the fatality.”

COURT: Sheffield knife man threatens to 'stab policeman in neck' before jumping in river

John Webb, aged 74, was found dead on Long Lane, Brampton-en-le-Morthern, at 8.30am on Wednesday February 19.

At 8.30pm the night before, police officers were alerted to a collision on the road and ‘carried out initial area searches to understand the circumstances of the collision’ but failed to spot Mr Webb’s body.

Witnesses to the collision or anyone who saw any lone pedestrians on the road on the night of the incident are urged to come forward.

Officers also want to hear from any motorists who may hold dash cam footage.

In a family tribute, Mr Webb was described as a ‘beloved dad, grandad and uncle to family members across the world’ who ‘will be remembered as a loveable rogue who always lived life to the full’.

Call South Yorkshire Police on 101 and quote incident number 170 of February 19.