London Evening Standard/London
A woman was left critically injured after being hit by a stolen car during a high-speed police chase in north London.
The pedestrian, in her late 20s, suffered serious leg and head injuries when she was struck by a black Ford Focus as it was being pursued by officers in Highgate.
Their patrol car stopped at the scene in Shepherd’s Hill near Archway Road and police went to the woman’s aid but the stolen car sped off. It was later found abandoned further away in Highgate.
Air ambulance paramedics treated the woman on the spot before she was airlifted to St Mary’s Hospital in Paddington. Police say her condition improved overnight and she was said to be “serious but stable” yesterday.
One local resident, an artist who did not want to be named, said: “I just heard a loud crash — it sounded like two cars smashing into each other. The young lady had fallen in front of a parked car and across the pavement.
“The paramedics were there working on her for at least 45 minutes. She screamed from time to time… the screams were just horrible.” Another resident said: “I came out because I heard a police helicopter overhead. There was a girl on the ground with her legs half out into the road. It sounded like she was complaining about being moved as she was in pain.”
Scotland Yard said the police car was using its lights and siren during the pursuit. It started in Colindale when officers tried to flag down the Ford Focus, which had been reported stolen, but it sped away. Police said the force’s internal investigation department, the directorate of professional standards, had been informed as a “routine” matter.
There have not yet been any arrests, but police urged any witnesses to contact them.
