Highgate man dies in horrific Great North Road crash

A FATAL car crash has claimed the life of a Highgate man and left a teenager with serious head injuries.

Last Thursday, 43-year-old Stephen Wheatcroft from North Hill lost his life in the accident.

Investigators have been left puzzled how the smash took place on the Great North Road. Police believe there were no other vehicles involved when Mr Wheatcroft's green Ford Mondeo struck a wall opposite the Hexagon garage just after 5pm.

He was found trapped inside the car along with two women including a teenage girl who was taken to hospital. She remained in serious condition as the Ham&High went to press.

Another woman, believed to be in her 30s, was taken to hospital and treated for back and arm injuries but was later discharged.

A post mortem on Mr Wheatcroft was held at Finchley Mortuary on Monday, but the results are yet to be released.

Pensioner Maria Minczer was in her home in Great North Road when the tragedy happened. She said: "It sounded like the whole of East Finchley was being demolished. When I looked outside there were bricks everywhere. The car was all smashed - a piece of rubble."

According to some witnesses the car looked as though it had ploughed into the wall backwards and may have rolled at some point before this. Residents' garages were also left damaged by the crash.

"It could have been even worse because we often go outside to sweep just where it happened," added Ms Minczer. "There could have been people just passing by at the time.

"Everybody came out straight away and tried to help. There were lots of police cars and ambulances and the officers told us just to go back inside our houses."

A police spokesman said Mr Wheatcroft's family has been informed and an inquest is expected to be held in due course.

Anyone who witnessed the collision is asked to call the Orpington Collision Investigation Unit on 020-8998 5319.