EXCLUSIVE: Man taken to hospital after car is in collision with Met Police firearms vehicle

A man was taken to hospital after the car he was in was in collision with an unmarked Met Police firearms car on a busy dual carriageway.

Crowds formed along the A12 in Newbury Park, east London, last night after a dramatic crash, which left both vehicles brought to a stop against a crash barrier.

The police vehicle, which contained firearms, was on its way to a firearms incident. Details of this have not been released.

The story was broken by our sister TikTok feed @Newsaddictclub last night.

It is understood that the unmarked police Volvo had its rear window taped up by firefighters as it contained police firearms, but this has not been confirmed by the force.

A man who witnessed the aftermath said: "There were police, firefighters and ambulance crews everywhere. The firefighters taped up the rear window of the undercover police vehicle. I think it was one of the firearms unit's cars. I don't know if the police car was pursuing the other car, but they both ended up smashed up against the barriers."

The male driver of the Hyundai was taken to hospital.

A Met Police spokesperson said: "A police car and another vehicle were reported as having been involved in a collision in Horns Road, Ilford on Thursday, January 23 at around 9:30pm.

"Officers attended the scene alongside the London Ambulance Service and the London Fire Brigade.

"One man, the driver of the other vehicle, was taken to hospital for his injuries. No officers were taken to hospital.

"Enquiries are ongoing.

"It is unknown at this stage if any IOPC (referral) has or will be completed, we can confirm further once known.

"It was an armed response vehicle with firearms on board responding to a firearms incident.

"The vehicle was not in pursuit with any vehicle, this is not linked to a pursuit."

A London Ambulance Service spokesperson said: “We sent resources to the scene, including ambulance crews and an incident response officer. “The first of our crews arrived in less than two minutes. “Our crews treated a man at the scene, before taking him to hospital.”

A London Fire Service spokesperson added: "Crews made the scene safe after two vehicles collided. A man was taken to hospital by London Ambulance Service crews.

"The Brigade was called at 9:37pm and the incident was over for firefighters by 10:15pm. Two fire engines from Ilford Fire Station attended the scene."

The Independent Office of Police Complaints has received no referral from the Met about the accident as yet.

An IOPC spokesman said: "It depends on the seriousness of the injuries. Even though they went to hospital, it may be that the injuries were relatively minor. We deal with deaths or serious injuries. So not necessarily referrable from the info the Met has supplied you."