Police raced to West London after the incident, which has left many hospitalised
A man has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder after a car ploughed into pedestrians on a busy street in London. Five were left injured outside an M&S in Ealing Broadway, West London, after panicked passers-by called 999.
Emergency services including paramedics and police raced to the scene to help five people who were injured in the collision. They say two were treated at the scene while three were taken to hospital after the incident which happened just before 2.30pm.
One of them was taken to a major trauma centre by road as a priority while an air ambulance was also dispatched in what police were initially treating as a hit and run.
Met Police said the car involved failed to stop at the scene but was stopped in nearby Grange Park shortly after, with the drive immediately apprehended.
The driver, a 34-year-old Somalia-born British man, was arrested on suspicion of dangerous driving and attempted murder and remains in police custody.
Police said all of the people hit “suffered non-life-threatening or life-changing injuries” but the incident is not being treated as terrorism. Officers contacted Counter Terrorism Police, but it has not been deemed a terrorist offence.
The busy shopping area was cordoned off with the fire and rescue service also spotted at the scene and it is believed the area is still inaccessible now.
Witness Matt Darczynski told The Sun he “heard screaming“, saying: “I live on the main road. I called the police straight away at 2.29pm. I identified his car and reg plate. It was a horrific experience for me. Accidents can happen to anyone but this clearly wasn’t the case.
“It all just feels really weird, it was very chaotic. When I heard all the screaming I couldn’t help but feel stressed. Some people tried to help by chasing the man as he escaped from his car, while others filmed the situation on their phones.”
A Met Police spokesperson said: “Police were called to Ealing Broadway, Ealing at 14:29hrs on Saturday, 27 June to a report of a car colliding with multiple pedestrians.
“A total of five pedestrians were injured. Two were treated at the scene and three were taken to hospital. At this time, it is believed they have all suffered non-life-threatening or life-changing injuries.
“The car involved did not stop at the scene but was stopped in nearby Grange Park a short time later. The driver, a 34-year-old Somalia-born British man, was arrested on suspicion of dangerous driving and attempted murder.
“Due to the nature of the incident, local officers were in contact with officers from Counter Terrorism Policing London as they conducted their initial enquiries.
“While investigators are keeping an open mind as to any potential motive, the incident is not being treated as terrorism. Road closures are in place in the area and could remain in place for some time while the police investigation progresses.
“Anyone with information or relevant footage is asked to contact the police on 101, providing the reference 4607/27JUN.”
A spokesperson for London Ambulance Service said: “We were called at 2.29pm today (June 27) to reports of a road traffic collision in Ealing Broadway, W5.