Stevenage car crash: Witnesses describe horrific aftermath of car crash that left 17 injured

A woman had to be carried to safety by four people after she was left unable to walk after a horror crash during a car meet event in Stevenage, the event's organiser said today.

Seventeen people were injured, some seriously, after a “horrendous” crash involving two cars on Thursday night, police confirmed.

It is believed many of those injured were young people after witnesses said a car swerved into an “18 years old-plus” crowd.

The cars were involved in a collision on Monkswood Way at around 9.45pm.

Organiser of the event Rix Sidhu said the event had been running regularly for 17 years, providing a "safe space" for car enthusiasts to meet within a controlled, closed environment.

He told how the regular event turned to a “horrific” crash and how a woman had to be carried to safety.

Describing the moment of the crash, he said: "We saw the car (Toyota) come into the car park and recklessly do a donut manoeuvre.

"It pulled out of the car park on to the main road and then it was hit by the Nissan, which was coming at speed.

"I'd say at least 60 or 70mph.

"I was walking down the main road to meet up with some friends and then I saw it happen.

"The cars collided and then went into the crowd at speed. There were several younger people in the crowd, but they weren't kids. They were about 18 years old-plus."

Mr Sidhu added: "It was horrific, the crash.

"We are first-aid trained, just in case, and members of the public were really good too, helping us get to those who were injured.

"There was one woman who couldn't walk, we had to get four of us to carry her to safety.

"I'm thankful that nobody died. Nobody wanted this, we try so hard to make sure this doesn't happen, we beg people not to race on the roads - if they want to race, there are places they can go for that, tracks where they can go at speed.

"But we've decided we're not going to run these any more. After 17 years, it's over."

He said: "We are devastated. I've been running this for 10 years and we have never had one incident.

"We were raising money for charity, as we often do, and there was no speed element to it.

"We held the meet in a car park with a speed bump at the entrance. But unfortunately some people went a bit rogue.

"We try and stop that, we urge people - urge them on social media beforehand - not to go out on the roads, not to risk injury or anything.

"But unfortunately, in this age of social media and Snapchat, people want to get footage and post things to their friends, which seems to drive some people to the main road.

Mr Sidhu added: "We have a liaison officer to pass number plates to police if there is ever any trouble; we try to make it as safe as possible.

"Some people like drinking and that sort of thing, we just like cars. They are our pride and joy, what we are interested in.

"Unfortunately this incident means we are all going to be tarred with the same brush - people will say we are boy racers."

The East of England Ambulance Service said it had taken 12 people to three hospitals - Lister Hospital in Stevenage, Watford General Hospital and The Princess Alexandra Hospital in Harlow.