Woman arrested and five injured after police pursuit
BBCFive people have been seriously injured and a woman arrested following a crash involving a car being pursued by police in east London.
The Metropolitan Police said officers had tried to stop a vehicle they believed had been stolen. The car did not stop and a police chase began shortly after 00:30 BST on Saturday.
The car crashed with another at the junction of Barley Lane and High Road in Ilford, the force said. Ten people were injured in total, including those in both cars and a moped rider. Nine of them were taken to hospital, where five remain with serious injuries.
The driver, a woman in her 20s, was arrested on suspicion of dangerous driving, theft and failing to stop.
Paramedics, including London Air Ambulance, attended the scene.
The arrested driver of the car being followed by police remains in hospital.
Four passengers from that same vehicle - a woman in her 40s, a 14-year-old girl and two men in their 20s - have also been arrested, on suspicion of being in a stolen vehicle.
Farhan, who works at Flames Pizza Oven opposite a Tesco Extra, said he had heard a police siren followed by "a really loud bang" at about 00:30.
He said he ran outside and saw several police cars heading east along High Road in Goodmayes, from Seven Kings towards Chadwell Heath, and believed they were pursuing a vehicle.
He added that he then saw two men, who appeared to be in their early twenties, get out of the car he believed was being previously followed. He said both looked injured.
A London Ambulance Service spokesperson said they had sent ambulance crews, an incident response officer, a joint response unit, an advanced paramedic practitioner, members of the Hazardous Area Response Team and the air ambulance.
"We treated 10 patients at the scene and took nine to hospital. One person declined further aid," they added.
The road remains closed in all directions while investigations continue.
Police have asked anyone with information about the incident to contact them.
The Met said the case had been referred to its Directorate of Professional Standards, which was standard practice after a police pursuit involving a crash.
The force added that the Independent Office for Police Conduct had also been informed in line with procedures where someone is seriously injured after contact with police.
The police watchdog said it had been notified of the incident but did not attend the scene and would review whether any further action was needed.
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