These dramatic images show how firefighters had to cut off the roof of a car to free two people trapped after a crash on Melfort Road at the junction with Brook Road.

The driver of the other vehicle involved in the accident at around 4am on Sunday (August 25) didn’t stop and is being hunted by police.

Images taken by witnesses show firefighters using cutting equipment to release a man and a woman from a silver Vauxhall which was found overturned.  They were taken to hospital but

“Their injuries are not life-threatening,” a spokesman for Scotland Yard said adding.

“The other vehicle involved fled the scene – attempts to trace it are ongoing.” 

Despite  being a 20mph zone the road is notorious for speeding and residents have campaigned for calming measures after a a number of accidents.

There had been temporary lights on Brigstock Road and the junction of Melfort Road was closed for weeks for sewage repair works causing traffic chaos.

Residents of Brook Road got a petition  together which they presented to the council after a number of accidents caused by increased traffic on residential streets as a result of the road closures.

At the Thornton Heath Community Action Team meeting Quadrant Road residents revealed that they had bee successful in petitioning the council for a one way system which will take in Brook and Elliot roads.

•Turn to page 8 to read about school children’s efforts to tackling speeding on our roads