Police Chase Ends in Crash Train Services to Gatwick Airport Disrupted

In the early hours of Friday, a high-speed police chase in south London culminated in a dramatic crash when a suspected stolen vehicle slammed into a railway bridge in Thornton Heath, causing significant disruption to train services, including the Gatwick Express. The incident occurred around 4 a.m. when police attempted to stop two cars in Thornton Heath and Wallington, leading to a chase.

One of the vehicles lost control and collided with a lamppost on Whitehorse Road, South Norwood, resulting in debris scattering onto the rail tracks below. The driver of the crashed car was hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries and has been taken into custody. Authorities are still in search of the second vehicle involved in the pursuit.

The impact of the crash necessitated the closure of Whitehorse Road for safety assessments by structural engineers and the clearing of debris from the railway lines. This has led to cancellations and diversions of several train services, including the Gatwick Express, and has affected routes between Selhurst and Streatham Common. Southern trains between Redhill and Gatwick Airport, as well as those heading towards Three Bridges, are being rerouted to London Bridge, while services to London Victoria, Epsom Downs, and Sutton are being diverted via Crystal Palace.

Additionally, trains between East Croydon, Clapham Junction, Watford Junction, and Milton Keynes have been suspended. Emergency services, along with the British Transport Police and Network Rail, are working diligently to restore safe train operations and reopen affected transport links as swiftly as possible. Local authorities have implemented temporary safety measures to manage the situation and ensure public safety.