The crash in Noak Hill Road (photo: Jeff Stroud)

Icy roads cause series of car crashes in Harold Hill

Ramzy Alwakeel, Reporter Wednesday, February 13, 2013
12:05 PM

Icy roads this morning (Wednesday) caused a series of car crashes within minutes of each other.

A collision at 7.26am left a 20-year-old man with a facial injury and back pain.

It happened at the junction of Noak Hill Road and Lower Bedfords Road, near the Harold Hill and Noak Hill border. The smash involved five cars – an orange Ford Focus, a black Vauxhall Insignia, a silver Vauxhall Astra, a red Vauxhall Combo van and a silver Ford Focus.

Two ambulances were called to the scene and paramedics took the man to Queen’s Hospital, Romford.

And two crashes took place in Shepherds Hill, the first at 7.26am, following which a 16-year-old girl was taken to Queen’s Hospital with back pain.

A white Citroen, a purple Ford Fiesta and a white Audi were involved. Firefighters from Hornchurch and Harold Hill were called to assist but no one was trapped.

Two ambulance crews were on the scene.

An eyewitness said the accidents had happened after a car skidded on black ice - a persistent problem in the area due to the run-off from fields.

But Havering’s street care boss Cllr Barry Tebbutt said the road was part of the council’s gritting route and had been gritted the night before.

“I was awakened by the sound of a skid followed by a bump,” said the witness, who did not wish to be named. “A silver Nissan 4x4 travelling up Shepherds Hill had apparently hit a patch of ice, hit the kerb – destroying his nearside rear wheel – spun, and ended up facing downhill.

“While awaiting the recovery, two more minor accidents occurred on the icy surface, the first involving a Citroen DS3 heading down the hill and a Ford Fiesta heading up the hill.

“Almost immediately the car behind the Fiesta braked and a fourth car hit that one from behind.”

Police closed the road in both directions and the fire brigade put down salt and grit.

Did you see either of the crashes? Call the news desk on 020 8477 3903 or e-mail ramzy.alwakeel@archant.co.uk.