Two people were injured after an unmarked police car responding to an emergency call mounted a pavement where diners at a pizza restaurant were seated.
One woman, believed to be in her 30s, was treated at the scene for minor injuries. A man, thought to be of the same age was taken to a west London hospital where he remains in a non life-threatening condition.
The crash occurred when the police car collided with another vehicle in Sanderson Close junction with Highgate Road at 7.45am on Tuesday, before striking a bollard.
BBC news reader Zora Suleman tweeted pictures and video of the aftermath of the crash, stating: “One minute everyone was chatting and drinking, next sirens then a huge bang and people screaming.”
Business journalist Joff Wild witnessed the crash as he drove past. He told the Evening Standard: “There were chairs and tables going up in the air where people were sitting and then it smashed into a bollard. There were screams as people outside the pub on the corner came running over to help. I could see a guy lying on the floor.
“It all seemed to happen in slow motion, like something out of Starsky and Hutch. It’s a miracle no one was more seriously hurt. Someone could have easily been killed.”
Two police officers from the unmarked police car involved in the collision are also being treated for whiplash injuries.
The other vehicle involved stopped at the scene and the driver is assisting police with their enquiries.
No arrests have been made and local road closures are in place.
The incident has been referred to the Met’s Directorate of Professional Standards and to the Independent Police Complaints Commission.
Anyone with information concerning this incident is asked to call police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.