AN INNOCENT bystander had to be cut free from her car after a police chase ended in a disastrous crash on Monday evening.

AN INNOCENT bystander had to be cut free from her car after a police chase ended in a disastrous crash on Monday evening.

A silver Ford Focus failed to stop for police, sparking a chase from Islington through King's Cross and Finsbury and into the back streets of Clerkenwell at around 7.30pm.

When officers finally caught up with the car outside the Clerkenwell Workshops, in Clerkenwell Close, they discovered it had collided with a parked vehicle - leaving a woman occupant of that car helplessly injured inside.

The two suspected drug dealers from the fleeing car had run off in different directions.

Firefighters from nearby Clerkenwell Fire Station used specialist equipment to cut the woman out and she was rushed to hospital with a suspected neck injury, but has since been released.

A barman, who works in Clerkenwell Close, said: "It was all very surreal as there were suddenly lots of police about - including armed police.

"There were six or seven normal police cars and around five officers from the armed response team with guns.

"We were wondering what the hell was going on but it was quite exciting as things like that don't normally happen around here."

The suspects' car was searched and several wraps of suspected Class A drugs were found. Further substances were discovered nearby.

James Turney, a 22-year-old student, who lives on the nearby Peabody Estate, said: "I was on my way home from the shops and I realised something was happening because there was a police helicopter hovering above.

"Then I saw the police searching the small park next to St James's Church and they came onto the estate as well - but no one I asked seemed to know who or what they were looking for.

"There were lots of rumours circulating about a police chase and a big crash but you never know what to believe."

A 20-year-old man was arrested nearby on suspicion of possession with intent to supply drugs and he has since been bailed pending analysis of seized substances.

Police are still hunting for a second man, who is described as a light-skinned black man in his 20s, about 6ft tall, of slim-build with short black hair.

Anyone with information is asked to call Islington police on 0300 123 1212 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.