A man has been arrested after a teenage girl was killed in a car crash in Newham.
Shocking footage of the incident showed a car hitting a pedestrian and nearly striking several other people.
Police were called shortly before 3.45pm on Tuesday to reports of a collision on Barking Road.
At the scene, officers found a Nissan Juke had been in collision with 18-year-old female pedestrian Maryam Nabil Shuwey and another car.
Despite the actions of off-duty police officers, members of the public and medics, Maryam died from her injuries at the scene.
Her family are being supported by specialist police officers.
Chief Superintendent Dan Card, leading policing in Newham, said: “I know that local people will be feeling shocked and distressed by the tragic loss of a young woman’s life in such horrific circumstances. Please know that we share those feelings, and we are doing everything we can to support our colleagues as they investigate the full circumstances of the incident.
“The actions of two off-duty officers close to the scene when the collision happened were commendable - despite the chaotic situation, they managed the incident in its early stages and attempted to help the victim until medics arrived.
“Members of the public also rushed to see if they could help as Newham pulled together to try to save a young life. While the outcome was not what anyone would have wished for, I would like to extend my thanks to those people.”
A witness, who watched the crash on his shop’s CCTV, said: “It was rolling in the road, rolling on the pavement.
“I didn’t go to look. It took out about five posts, part of our wall and hit some tyres.”
Another witness who was inside a cafe next to where the crash happened said she saw the vehicle coming towards her.
She told the Standard: “We just saw the car coming. It was coming for the shop.
“I couldn’t see from where it was coming from. It crashed into a car parked outside. If not it would have come through the window. It would’ve come into the shop.”
The driver of the Nissan Juke - a 45-year-old man - was arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving.
He was taken to hospital for treatment before being taken into police custody. He has since been released on bail pending further enquiries.
Police are now appealing for witnesses of the incident to come forward.
Chief Superintendent Thomas Naughton, of the Met’s Roads and Transport Policing Command, said: “This is a tragic and deeply upsetting incident for everyone concerned. We are working hard to establish the full circumstances surrounding this incident and ask that anyone who has information or footage contact us without delay.”
