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Essex Police have confirmed that a BMW involved in a collision with a group of pedestrians on Canvey Island was not being pursued by officers.

Furtherwick Road became the scene of a major emergency services operation following a crash close to the Island's seafront yesterday afternoon (April 14).

At round 4.10pm, police received reports that people had been injured after an incident involving a blue BMW 120D.

The two occupants of the vehicle then abandoned the car and fled the scene.

Although information initially provided by the police suggested six people were being treated after the crash, it was later confirmed to be five victims.

Two of those attended to by paramedics were airlifted to a hospital in London, with a further three taken by ambulances for treatment at Basildon and Thurrock Hospital and Southend Hospital.

Claims made by witnesses which were then reported by national newspapers led to some people believing the BMW had been part of a police pursuit.

"Reports there was a police pursuit are incorrect," a spokeswoman for Essex Police said this afternoon (April 15).



"Officers were in the area responding to an unrelated incident at the time and not to the presence of the BMW."



However, the matter has now been referred to the Independent Office for Police Complaints (IOPC) under the criteria of there being "an indirect link" between police being in the area and the incident taking place.

What is the IOPC? The Independent Office for Police Conduct oversees the police complaints system in England and Wales. They investigate the most serious matters, including deaths following police contact, and set the standards by which the police should handle complaints. They use learning from their work to influence changes in policing. The IOPC are independent, and make their decisions entirely independently of the police and government.

Furtherwick Road remained closed for several hours while officers and paramedics dealt with the incident and forensic examination work was carried out.

Of the five men who received treatment in hospital, two have been released and none of the victims have suffered "life-threatening" injuries.

Appeal for information A spokeswoman for Essex Police said: "We would like thank local residents for their patience while this work was carried out. Anyone with information or dash cam or mobile phone footage is asked to contact Dc Natacha Brown in the Serious Collision Investigation Unit on 01245 240590 quoting reference 770 of April 14 or email collisionappeal@essex.pnn.police.uk."

During Essex Police's subsequent enquiries, it was discovered that the BMW had been reported stolen.

A 17-year-old boy from Canvey was later arrested on suspicion of causing serious injury by dangerous driving, failing to stop after an accident and driving while unfit through drink or drugs - He currently remains in custody for questioning.

(Image: Edward Starr)





In addition, an 18-year-old man from Canvey was arrested today on suspicion of causing serious injury by dangerous driving, driving while unfit through drink or drugs, aggravated vehicle taking, theft of a motor vehicle, failing to stop after an accident, failing to report an accident and driving without insurance.

He too remains in custody for questioning.

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