Twelve injured in collision (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

Twelve injured in collision

8:36am Monday 21st January 2008 in Swindon By James Wallin

TWELVE people were injured in a collision involving a police car on an emergency call and a Thamesdown bus.

Police officers were responding to an incident when the collision occurred on Queens Drive at its junction with Upham Road at about 10.30pm on Saturday.

The three people in the police car were treated by paramedics at the scene.

They were then taken to Swindon's Great Western Hospital.

A police observer who was in the back of the car was understood to have suffered possible broken bones.

The driver of the car was discharged from hospital soon afterwards.

A female police officer was kept under observation until Sunday morning, suffering from concussion.

The driver of the bus and all eight passengers were treated for minor injuries.

Police said that the vehicle was a marked car.

But eye witnesses described it as simply "light-coloured" with no obvious markings.

Residents of Queens Drive heard the crash but none of them say they remember hearing a police siren.

Marcin Grzybowski, whose house overlooks the road, said: "I heard a woman screaming just before the crash and I went to look out of the window.

"It was difficult to see much because the trees are in the way. But I could see the bus on the grass verge."

Walentyna Paradowska lives on Queens Drive, directly in front of the crash scene.

She said: "I was in bed and I heard a big noise outside.

"I looked out of the window and I saw the bus and the car on the grass."

Several residents who came home after the crash reported seeing a light-coloured car lying in front of a tree on the grass verge separating the two lanes of Queens Drive.

The impact marks on the tree suggested that the car was heading into central Swindon.

But one onlooker claimed the car was facing in the opposite direction, suggesting it had spun round after the collision.

Witnesses say the bus did not appear to be damaged at all.

Swindon Divisional Commander Paul Howlett said: "Clearly it is distressing that this incident has happened, our thoughts are very much with the people that were involved and we wish those that were injured a speedy recovery.

"As is normal practice, this matter will be referred to the Independent Police Complaints Commission.

"And it is important that a thorough investigation is completed in liaison with them."

Anyone who saw the crash is asked to contact the Northern Roads Policing Unit on 0845 408 7000.