Witnesses speak of Islington Police crash death horror
The wreckage of the crash in which two people died. Picture by Tony Hardiman/FR Pix - Credit: Paul Wood - 07958 382323
Police pulled the bodies of two men from a sports car which crashed during a high-speed chase in a vain attempt to save them, witnesses said this week.
Floral tributes at the scene - Credit: Archant
Onlookers spoke of the “horror” as officers performed CPR on Gregory Jones from Archway and Shaka Henry from Hornsey Rise, who died after the black Audi ploughed into a bridge after clipping a van at 2am on Friday, during a pursuit which started in Islington.
Family and friends led tributes this week on social media site Twitter and on messages attached to floral tributes left at the scene in Seven Sisters Road, South Tottenham.
An inquest opened and adjourned on Tuesday confirmed both Mr Jones, 38, of St John’s Way, and Mr Henry, 33, of Grenville Road, died of multiple chest wounds.
Erzen Salihi, 32, who lives opposite the crash scene, described the “shock” as he and his wife watched the scene unfold from their upstairs bedroom.
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He said: “We saw them drag one body out and one police officer opened his jacket up and started giving the person CPR, probably about 30 or 40 pushes on his chest.
“They saw they couldn’t bring the body back to life so then they tried to rescue the other person.
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“They pulled him out and started giving him CPR as well, but after a few minutes they gave up and the ambulance arrived. We were shocked and just froze – it was horrible.”
A 30-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving, driving under the influence, possession with intent to supply class A drugs and suspicion of driving without a licence. He has since been released on police bail.
One floral tribute at the scene read: “R.I.P. SHAKA. You will be missed by so many! Seems like only yesterday we were all kids and enjoying ourselves. Still can’t believe you are gone.”
Another said: “R.I.P EGGERS [Gregory]. Words can’t even describe how much I miss you already. You was [sic] all good to me & KC, always there when I needed you.”
Meanwhile Queens Park Rangers striker Jay Bothroyd posted: “RIP GREGORY JONES and SHAKA.”
The driver of the van was taken to hospital with minor injuries.
The Independent Police Complaints Commission have opened an investigation into the incident.
Witnesses are urged to call 0207 166 3188 with information.
