Police are questioning four men after a brawl involving around 25 people broke out following a car crash in Sydenham Road, south London, last night. The fight erupted as rescue workers treated the driver and two teenage girls who had to be cut free from the wreckage of a black Audi.
Witnesses said the car smashed into traffic lights and rebounded across the road after apparently swerving to avoid an oncoming motorcycle at around 8.20pm. A second car was also involved in the collision. The two female passengers were taken to hospital with non-serious injuries.
The fight began after a clash between two men caught up in the accident outside Selim’s Kebab House. The owner of a nearby restaurant said: 'There was a loud bang and I saw two girls being treated by the ambulance men. Then it just kicked off, with people shouting and punches being thrown. I locked the doors and locked my customers inside.'
Another witness, Chris Newman, 26, said: 'We heard a loud bang and I looked up to see the car sliding across the street with its wheels missing. It was a big crash and a big impact. The driver was out in the street saying “did you see what he did?” I don’t know what he was talking about but it seemed like it might have been the motorcyclist who made him swerve.'
Police officers called to the scene were forced to intervene. Four men were arrested on suspicion of affray and assaulting police. No one was seriously hurt. A Scotland Yard spokesman said: 'Fights broke out in the aftermath of the collision, involving around 25 people. Four males were arrested.'
