Eight people in hospital as stolen BMW smashes into care home after police chase
Eight people were taken to hospital after a stolen BMW slammed into a care home after a police chase.
A gaping hole was left in the wall at Highcliffe Care Home in Witherwack, Sunderland, at around 9.40pm yesterday after the car left the road.
Two men, both aged 21, were arrested after the crash involving a blue BMW stolen from Fenham, Newcastle. The stolen car was pursued by police after it was spotted on the A1231 eastbound in Sunderland.
Residents were evacuated and eight patients taken to hospital with injuries not believed to be life threatening, according to the North East Ambulance Service.
Chief Superintendent Mark Hall, of Northumbria Police, said: 'We're working closely with our blue-light partners, as well as the local authority and NHS colleagues, to support those involved.
'I'd like to thank them for their assistance in ensuring the safety of all residents and staff.
'Our officers remain in the area with other agencies to carry out enquiries and offer reassurance to the public.
'I'd ask anyone with concerns to speak to an officer on duty.'
Carol Wilson, the wife of one of the evacuated residents, told the BBC the entire top floor had caved in.
In a statement, Avery Healthcare said: 'The safety and well-being of our residents and staff is our absolute priority and we continue to work closely with the relevant authorities.
'Residents have been moved to alternative accommodation where their care continues without interruption.
'We would like to express our sincere thanks to the carers and colleagues across our neighbouring homes who have stepped in to support at this time.
'Their professionalism, dedication, and compassion in ensuring a smooth transition and continuity of care has been truly commendable.'
A North East Ambulance Service spokesperson said: 'We received a call at 9.41pm on Wednesday 9 July to reports to a vehicle colliding into a premises in the Whitechurch Road area of Sunderland.
'We dispatched three emergency ambulance crews, a specialist paramedic, a duty officer, a clinical team leader, three crews from our Hazardous Area Response Team (Hart), our tactical advisor, our tactical commander, and two crews from our patient transport service (PTS) to the scene.
'We assisted with the evacuation of residents at the property and eight patients were conveyed to hospital.'
A 21-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of dangerous driving and theft of a motor vehicle. A second 21-year-old has since been arrested on suspicion of theft of a motor vehicle.
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