Park Royal residents warned of speeding before deadly car crash

  • Published
Tube train at Park Royal
Image caption,

Trains are not stopping at the eastbound platform of Park Royal Tube station

Residents living near a station where a car landed on the tracks after crashing off a west London road say "it was only a matter of time" before someone died.

A woman, 33, was killed when the Range Rover she was in crashed through a barrier, hit a stationary Tesla and ended up on the Piccadilly line at Park Royal in the early hours of Monday.

The driver, a man aged 23, remains in a critical condition in hospital.

Neighbour Katee Moore said: "We've been warning and warning everybody."

The 33-year-old woman's family has been informed, the Met Police said. Another woman in the Range Rover, aged 26, was also taken to hospital and is in a non-life-threatening condition.

A man in his 50s, who had been with the Tesla near the A40, received treatment at the scene.

Image source, PA Media
Image caption,

Three people were travelling in the Range Rover, which ended up on the tracks

Ms Moore, who lives in Baronet House overlooking Park Royal station, said she had previously been trying to raise the alarm along with other residents about speeding vehicles.

She said: "For about six months now we have been complaining to anybody and everybody about the antisocial behaviour of these rally drivers.

"I personally have seen them miss a woman with a buggy by inches. We've got videos and pictures galore."

Image source, Katee Moore
Image caption,

Ms Moore said residents had raised numerous complaints about "antisocial behaviour" on the roads beneath their block

Another resident, who asked to remain anonymous, told the BBC she had witnessed the crash having been woken by the sound of loud car engines.

She said: "I saw the smoke and called the police. My heart started beating really, really fast.

"We've been raising this with the council over and over and over again.

"This is exactly why we're trying to tackle this problem because we knew one day this was going to happen."

Image caption,

Damage is clearly visible to the fence above the station

Ms Moore also complained that residents had been "ping-ponged" between Ealing and Brent councils with their concerns because their building is on the border of the two boroughs.

She added: "We've reported to the police and to councils but nobody seems to be listening."

An Ealing Council spokesperson declined to comment on the residents' longstanding complaints "because the accident resulted in a fatality".

A Brent spokesperson said they were also "unable" to comment due to the on-going police investigation.

They added: "This young woman's death is a tragedy and our thoughts go out to family, friends and loved ones at this difficult time."

The Met Police continue to appeal for information about the collision.

'Speculation'

Det Sgt Jim Hinchliffe, of the Serious Collision Investigation Unit (SCIU), said: "I am aware of the extensive coverage in the media and online.

"I would remind media and members of the public that this remains a live investigation and we continue to investigate the full circumstances of the collision.

"I appreciate there is much speculation around the circumstances, including whether there had been racing in the area beforehand, and all of this forms part of the investigation."

Det Con Ben Simpson urged any witnesses or anyone with dashcam, CCTV or doorbell footage of the moments leading up to it to contact police.

He added: "A person has died and another remains critically ill in hospital and we need the public's help to build our picture of what has happened here."

Image caption,

Police tape is still visible and the Tesla dealership remains closed

Flowers and candles have been left at the scene of the crash.

The black 2019 Range Rover damaged at least three charging points in the Tesla dealership, which has been shut.

Park Royal station was closed after the crash but has now reopened and is operating a normal service.

Image caption,

A bouquet of flowers and candles have been left on the railings nearby

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