Multiple individuals, including a 14-year-old, sustained serious injuries following a car crash believed to be linked to theft during a police pursuit in East London.
Police officers initiated the chase around 12:30 am, leading to a collision involving the suspect vehicle and another car outside a Tesco Extra in Goodmayes. An air ambulance and specialized paramedics were dispatched to the scene.
The driver, a woman in her twenties, along with four passengers, collided with a second vehicle at the junction of High Road and Barley Lane near Goodmayes station.
Initially, paramedics attended to ten individuals at the scene, subsequently transferring nine to hospitals for further medical attention, while one person declined further aid.
The Metropolitan Police stated that the five individuals with severe injuries range in age from 14 to 46.
Additional individuals involved, including the driver of the second car, two passengers, and a moped operator, received treatment from the London Ambulance Service.
Authorities have apprehended the suspect car driver on suspicion of dangerous driving, theft, and failure to stop, according to My London. Four passengers, including a woman in her forties, a teenage girl, and two men in their twenties, were also detained on suspicion of being in a stolen vehicle and remain under hospital care.
Eyewitness accounts, like that of Farhan from Flames Pizza Oven opposite Tesco Extra, recalled hearing a loud bang around 12:30 am amidst sirens in the vicinity. Farhan observed multiple police vehicles on Goodmayes High Road, indicating a pursuit. He mentioned witnessing two injured men at the crash site.
A spokesperson from the London Ambulance Service confirmed responding to a road traffic collision at the Barley Lane and Goodmayes Road junction in Ilford. The response involved various resources, including ambulance crews, incident response officers, advanced paramedics, and the air ambulance.
High Road is presently closed in both directions between Goodmayes Road and Eccleston Crescent, affecting bus routes 86 and 364, which are on diversion.
The Metropolitan Police urge anyone with information regarding the incident to come forward.
