Shocking CCTV footage has captured the dramatic moment a police pursuit ended in a violent double collision outside a busy petrol station in Great Barr.
The Moment of Impact
The incident unfolded on Hamstead Road at approximately 11:15am on Wednesday, November 19. The footage, obtained from a property opposite the Esso garage, begins with the distinct wail of police sirens filling the air. A small white van, being driven recklessly, is seen pulling out from a side road at speed.
In a heart-stopping moment, the fleeing van fails to navigate the junction and slams into the side of a brown-coloured car. The force of the initial impact sends the van careening onwards, where it then collides with a white transit van that was in the process of turning into the petrol station forecourt. This second crash finally brings the chaotic scene to a halt.
Aftermath and Police Response
A police car immediately pulls up alongside the damaged van. An officer is seen swiftly exiting the vehicle and detaining a man from the white van. As the sirens continue to blare, the occupants of the two innocent vehicles that were struck can be seen getting out to survey the significant damage to their cars.
Miraculously, despite the severity of the crashes, no one was reported to have been injured. A local resident, who provided the CCTV footage, recounted the scene. "I was five minutes away and my neighbour told me there had been an accident outside my house," he said. "There was a man and a woman in the first car and they were OK. There was a male in the van and he was OK, it was all shocking to see."
Insurance and Ongoing Investigation
The owner of the CCTV system handed the crucial footage over to the drivers of the vehicles that were hit, who confirmed they would be submitting it to their respective insurance companies as evidence.
West Midlands Police has confirmed that it is looking into the full circumstances of the incident and will be providing a formal statement in due course. The event has highlighted the dangers associated with police chases in residential areas and the potential consequences for other road users.
