Five seriously injured in crash during police pursuit - as driver is arrested

Nine people have been injured - five seriously hurt - after a police pursuit of a suspected stolen car in east London.

Officers attempted to stop the vehicle as they suspected it was stolen. It failed to stop, and a short pursuit followed.

The London Ambulance Service (LAS) said it was called at 12.30am to reports of a crash at the junction of Barley Lane and the High Road in Ilford. Ten patients were treated at the scene and nine were taken to hospital.

Of those being treated, the Metropolitan Police said five people, aged between 14 and 46, have suffered serious injuries.

In a statement, the force said: "Following the collision, the driver of the vehicle, a woman in her 20s, was arrested on suspicion of dangerous driving, theft and failing to stop. She remains in hospital.

"The four passengers of the stolen vehicle, a woman in her 40s, a teenage girl, and two men in their 20s, were also arrested on suspicion of being in a stolen vehicle. They also remain in hospital."

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A LAS spokesperson said it deployed an air ambulance, among other resources, including a Hazardous Areas Response Team (HART), although it did not explain why those specialists were required.

"We treated ten patients at the scene and took nine to hospital. One person declined further aid," LAS said in a statement.

The Met has appealed for information and said the junction remains closed in all directions while inquiries continue.

(c) Sky News 2026: Five seriously injured in crash during police pursuit - as driver is arrested