Nine people have been injured, with five sustaining serious injuries, following a multi-vehicle collision in east London on Thursday evening. The incident occurred during a police pursuit of a suspected stolen car in the area. Emergency services, including the London Ambulance Service and London's Air Ambulance, were dispatched to the scene to provide immediate medical attention.
Metropolitan Police officers were in pursuit of a vehicle believed to be stolen when the crash took place. Details surrounding the exact location and the number of vehicles involved in the collision have not yet been fully released. Following the incident, the driver of the suspected stolen car was arrested by police officers.
The five individuals with serious injuries were transported to hospital for treatment. The remaining four injured individuals also received medical attention for less severe injuries. The condition of those seriously hurt has not been updated, and police are continuing their investigations into the circumstances surrounding the collision.
Road closures were put in place in the vicinity of the crash site to allow emergency services to work safely and for collision investigators to gather evidence. Motorists were advised to seek alternative routes and expect delays in the area. The Metropolitan Police's Directorate of Professional Standards will likely be informed of the incident, as is standard procedure when police pursuits result in serious injury.
This incident highlights the inherent risks associated with police pursuits, where officers must balance public safety with the need to apprehend suspects. Authorities will conduct a thorough review to understand the full sequence of events leading to the collision and ensure appropriate protocols were followed.