Crash man swims River Ouse in escape bid

A man was arrested after swimming across the River Ouse in Lewes following an eight-vehicle collision on the A27 on Wednesday afternoon (February 7).
By The Newsroom
Published 8th Feb 2018, 11:18 BST
Updated 8th Jun 2018, 00:21 BST
The scene of the Southerham collision, which involved eight vehicles. Photograph by Eddie MitchellThe scene of the Southerham collision, which involved eight vehicles. Photograph by Eddie Mitchell
The scene of the Southerham collision, which involved eight vehicles. Photograph by Eddie Mitchell

Three men ran from a Mercedes, which had been reported stolen from south-west London, after it crashed near the Southerham roundabout at 4.12pm while being pursued by police after being spotted travelling at speed on the A23 a little earlier.

One managed to swim across the river in attempt to evade capture, but was picked up by police as he emerged on the opposite bank. He was taken to hospital under arrest, along with another of the car’s occupants who suffered an arm injury in the collision.

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The driver of another vehicle involved in the collision sustained a suspected broken collarbone and was also taken to the Royal Sussex County Hospital in Brighton.

The pursuit had commenced on the A23 just north of Pyecombe, before the car turned on to the A27. It rammed a police car at the A23/A27 interchange before continuing on towards the eastern end of Lewes bypass where it crashed, damaging a number of other vehicles.

Sergeant Stacey Ellott from the Surrey and Sussex roads policing unit said: “We are aware that this caused considerable disruption and we worked as swiftly as possible to reopen the road, but this did take some time and we thank people for their patience.”

The eastbound carriageway was reopened around 10.30pm.

Anyone who witnessed the collision or any of the incidents leading up to it is asked to report online or call 101 quoting Operation Raydon.

Related topics:MercedesA27A23London