Plymouth 'cruising' crash girl, 16, out of hospital Published duration 28 July 2014

media caption Megan Whitlock, 16, talks about what she remembers of the incident

A 16-year-old girl has been released from hospital following an incident at a "cruising" event in which a car ploughed into a crowd injuring 17 people.

A 19-year-old man has been arrested and released on police bail.

The east Cornwall man was arrested on suspicion of dangerous driving after the crash at the B&Q car park in Tavistock Road, Plymouth, on Saturday.

Megan Whitlock was among a group of people aged 12 to 20 who were hurt.

Hundreds of vehicles and spectators attended the car "cruising" event.

Miss Whitlock said she hit the windscreen but remembered little about the incident.

"We were watching all the cars and I remember feeling really dizzy, like I'd been hit by something and opening my eyes and loads of people crowding around me and leaning over me and taking pictures."

image copyright Courtesy of Plymouth Evening Herald image caption Police said they were called to a "large gathering of vehicles and people" at the Plymouth car park

Organisers Plymouth Car Cruise said on Facebook : "We wish all those involved last night a speedy recovery.

"The cruise is so people can see all the cars out there and not for people to try and act [like] idiots."

image caption Police said a man arrested on suspicion of dangerous driving had been released on bail

Ch Insp Ben Deer said: "The events are a legal gathering of members of the public who are car enthusiasts. We have no concern with people viewing cars, [but] clearly when injuries are caused that causes us concern."

He said it was the first event he was aware of that had "gone wrong".

'Reduce risk'

"These have been going on for some time without an incident and so, as a result, policing has reduced on them because we haven't had an issue.

"Now, we will look at any future car cruises we have in the city and will police them appropriately to reduce this risk of injury."

He added that the level of policing would depend on the event and would involve working with organisers, if it had one.

Officers were called to a "large gathering of vehicles and people" at 22:00 BST.

A spokesman for Devon and Cornwall Police said: "It was reported that a vehicle had lost control and collided with a group of pedestrians."

B&Q said the gathering had taken place "without the knowledge or consent" of the company or the landlord who owns the site and car park.

Car cruising usually involves groups of people gathering in car parks to watch drivers speeding, driving in convoy, racing other vehicles and performing stunts.

In many areas across the UK, injunctions have been imposed, making such gatherings illegal.

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