Two people critical after Rustington horror crash

POLICE officers have been praised for their "outstanding work" following a road crash in Rustington which left three people in hospital, described as "carnage".

The accident happened on Rustington's New Road by-pass at around 10.25pm last Wednesday evening.

Littlehampton police inspector Mark Hammond, one of two officers first at the scene, praised several officers who dealt with the horrific incident.

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One car, a convertible BMW M3 driven by a 30-year-old Littlehampton man, had left the westbound carriageway and crossed the central reservation where it was in collision with a Toyota Corolla driven by a 37-year-old Littlehampton man.

A 31-year-old woman from East Preston, who was a passenger in the BMW, was trapped inside for more than an hour and had to be cut free by firemen from Littlehampton using hydraulic cutting equipment.

The Toyota ended in a field at the side of the road. The driver, who was also trapped, was treated for minor injuries.

In particular, Mr Hammond praised Littlehampton PCs Clare Culton, Ritchie Southerton, Faye Bennett and Andy Baynes and Worthing PC Darren Wheelhouse.

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In a letter to chief inspector Brian Bracher, Mr Hammond explained how each of the officers had played an important role in dealing with the incident.

Mr Hammond said that he had been helped by PC Culton with the initial assessment of the scene and care of the injured.

He said PC Southerton deserved recognition for the "selfless act" of ripping open a badly buckled door from the BMW to free the driver who was trapped after a small fire had initiated in the vehicle.

PC Southerton suffered a deep wound to his hand from the damaged door which required hospital treatment and stitches.

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Mr Hammond said PC Bennett had done an "outstanding job" of gathering witness details and accounts and looking after the witnesses to the accident.

PC Baynes, said Mr Hammond, should be recognised for organising the scene log and helping arrange the closure of the road, protecting the scene and its valuable evidence.

PC Wheelhouse from Worthing and a colleague who was not named, were praised for their efforts, while off duty, in assisting the police at the scene.

Mr Hammond said: "I was impressed at the rate that my entire team attended the location and enabled a prompt closure of both carriage ways.

"I believe that a number of officers deserve a significant recognition for their efforts, which undoubtedly helped to preserve life and evidence."