EIGHT people required medical attention after a collision between two cars and a bus in Collier Row.

Collier Row Lane was shut for four hours from 3pm on Friday last week as emergency crews dealt with the wounded and cleared debris from the road.

A man in his 50s was cut from a silver Chrysler LX Neon by firefighters from Romford’s White Watch.

He was taken by air ambulance – which had landed at Parklands Junior School in Collier Row Lane – to The Royal London Hospital in Whitechapel with two fractured knees.

Five passengers travelling on the Mardyke-bound 365 FirstGroup bus were treated at the scene by paramedics from the London Ambulance Service (LAS), mostly for shock.

But one woman, in her 50s, was taken to Queen’s Hospital in Rom Valley Way, Romford, with head injuries.

It is believed she was knocked unconscious in the shunt.

Kathy Clarke, 26, manager of Strandz hairdressers, said: “It was horrendous. I just went out and talked to the man trapped in the car until the emergency services arrived. I was trying to keep him calm but he was traumatised and shaking.”

Worried shopkeepers from two local businesses rushed to the scene with fire extinguishers, fearing the smoking vehicles might burst into flames.

Dilip Patel, of Collier News newsagents, said: “I heard the accident from my shop and came out to see what had happened.

“Myself and another shopkeeper were concerned one of the vehicles might catch on fire, we saw smoke but it was probably water from the radiator but we had our extinguishers ready just in case.

“Luckily the fire service were quick to the scene and made sure the area was safe for everybody.”

A Metropolitan Police spokesman said “Investigations took place at the scene and no arrests were made.”