Police car and ambulance in Finchley Road smash

editorial@hamhigh.co.uk
09 July 2009

The scene of the collision

Susanna Wilkey



A POLICEMAN was cut out of his car after a high-speed collision with an ambulance on its way to an emergency in Hampstead today (Thursday).

The crash happened at around 1.30pm at the junction of Finchley Road and Frognal Lane. It is understood the police car was travelling southbound on the Finchley Road and the ambulance was travelling eastbound towards Frognal when the crash happened.

Both cars were severely damaged in the collision and the roof had to be cut off the police car to free the driver.

Road closures stretch from Hendon Way to Swiss Cottage and are likely to remain in place until 6pm this evening.

Mrs Chana, from Dales Pharmacy which is opposite where the crash happened, said: "We heard a very big bang and I thought someone was banging hard on our window. But it was the crash. They cut him out of the car and he was injured which is worrying - there was a lot of blood on his face."

The police driver and the two other officers in the car as well as the driver of the ambulance were all taken to the Royal Free hospital. The driver is in a stable position and his injuries are not life threatening.

A spokesman for the police said: "At about 1.30pm this afternoon we had reports of a marked police car in collision with a London Ambulance Service paramedic vehicle.

"Emergency services attended and the driver of the police vehicle had to be cut out of the car by the London Fire Brigade.

"He was taken to a west London hospital and his injuries are not life threatening. The two officers in the police car and the driver of the LAS vehicle were all taken to hospital for precautionary measures. Officers from Camden are on the scene and road closures will remain in place until around 6pm."

A spokeswoman for the London Ambulance Service added: "We were called to a road traffic collision involving one of our fast response cars and a police car.

"Our member of staff was responding to an emergency call. We sent four ambulances and a single responder car as well as a doctor.

"Four patients were assessed at the scene and taken to the Royal Free hospital. The injuries are not serious.

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