Young person fighting for life after car flips in police chase crash in Bristol

A young person is fighting for their life after a high-speed police chase ended with an Audi A3 vehicle flipping over and hitting several parked cars in Bristol in the early hours of this morning.

The person is in hospital with ‘possible life-threatening injuries’ after the crash on a section of the A4 called Grove Park in Brislington at 2.15am.

Three other people in the car were also taken to hospital with non-life threatening injuries, including the suspected driver - a male teenager - who has been arrested on suspicion of dangerous driving and drink driving.

A police officer was also taken to hospital with minor injuries after their vehicle appeared to then hit the main vehicle.

A major investigation is taking place this lunchtime at the scene of the crash with the outbound A4 closed from The Three Lamps Signpost near Temple Meads to Brislington village. Pictures at the scene show numbered cones on the floor marking points to the investigation.

Bristol World understands that the police pursuit was short, and that it started after CCTV picked up the vehicle which was suspected to have been driven by a drink driver in Canons Way in the city centre. Due to the crash happening during a police pursuit, the matter has been referred to the Independent Office for Police Conduct for investigation.

An Avon and Somerset Police spokesperson said: “We are at the scene of a collision on the A4 Grove Park, Bristol, this morning following a collision involving a car, a group of parked vehicles and a marked police car. We received a report of a suspected drink driving incident in Canons Way at around 2am.

“Officers identified the vehicle as an Audi A3 using CCTV and at around 2.15am the driver made off from police. A pursuit followed away from the city centre and onto the A4, where the suspect’s car collided with several parked cars at around 2.20am. A secondary collision has then occurred involving a marked police car.

“Four people from the Audi have been taken to hospital, one with possible life-threatening and life changing injuries. The officer was also taken to hospital with suspected minor injuries and has now been discharged to recover from home. A man in his late teens has been arrested on suspicion of driving while under the influence of alcohol and dangerous driving.”

Police are appealing for information from anyone who saw the incident, or has footrage. Anyone who can help should call 101 and quote reference 5223207383.