Two teenagers have been arrested after a stolen BMW ploughed into pedestrians in Essex.

Five men in their early 20s were seriously injured following the collision on Canvey Island at about 4.10pm on Saturday.

Three of them are still in hospital, but none of the injuries are described as life-threatening.

The two occupants of the blue BMW 120D, which had been reported stolen, left the scene after the crash.

A 17-year-old 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.


On Sunday, Essex Police confirmed an 18-year-old man has also been arrested on suspicion of causing serious injury by dangerous driving, driving while unfit through drink or drugs, aggressive vehicle taking, theft of a motor vehicle, failing to stop after an accident, failing to report an accident and driving without insurance.

Canvey Island crash: Five injured and one fighting for life as ‘car hits pedestrians’ #CanveyIsland pic.twitter.com/g1CxbjQg3u — Darren Oatway (@DarrenOatway) April 14, 2018

A spokesman for Essex Police said: "Reports there was a police pursuit are incorrect.

"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 been referred to the Independent Office for Police Complaints under the criteria of there being an indirect link between police being in the area and the incident."

Following the collision, ambulance service spokesman Jon Moore said: "The emergency services and critical care teams worked extremely quickly and professionally together at this incident to ensure patients received the right care as swiftly as possible."

Three air ambulances and four ambulances were sent to the scene, along with a number of police officers.