Police were called at 11.26pm on Sunday, 14 April, to reports of a road traffic incident involving a car at Staples Corner retail park.
The car, a Mercedes CLK convertible with five occupants, had crashed through a car park fence and down an embankment striking a footbridge. It is not believed that the Mercedes had collided with any other vehicle.
Officers attended the location along with London Fire Brigade, London Ambulance Service and London’s Air Ambulance. They found five people, all believed to be men aged in their early 20s.
Sadly three people were pronounced dead at the scene. Two other people were taken to hospital – one is in critical condition while the other person’s condition has been assessed as not life-threatening.
Officers believe that a number of cars were in the car park. Enquires are ongoing to establish what happened and to trace everyone who was in the car park at the time of the incident.
There has been no arrest. The car had not been stolen.
Inspector William Mcdonald, one of the officers responsible for policing Barnet, said: “Emergency services responded last night to what seems to have been a terrible accident.
“An urgent police investigation is under way to establish the full circumstances, led by detectives from the Met’s Serious Collision Investigation Unit.
“Officers are in the process of informing the families of the five young people. The families are being supported by specialist officers. I send them my sincere condolences.”
The recovery process was extremely complicated which led to extensive road closures. All roads have now reopened.
Anyone who witnessed the incident or has relevant mobile phone or dashcam footages is asked to call 101, reference 7502/14april.
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