Hit-and-Run Horror in Southampton: Driver Ditches Crashed Car Leaving Woman Trapped
Police are hunting a reckless driver who smashed into a parked car at high speed on Shirley High Street, Southampton, before fleeing the scene early on New Year’s Day. The crash left a woman trapped and screaming for help as emergency crews scrambled to the rescue.
High-Speed Crash Sparks Major Emergency
The smash happened just after 8.30am when a blue MG careered into a parked silver Volvo, sending it crashing into a nearby streetlight. The impact was so severe fire crews from Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service had to cut the roof off the MG to free the trapped female passenger.
Four fire crews from Redbridge and St Mary’s rushed to the scene. Using hydraulic cutters, they worked swiftly to rescue the woman, who was then taken to Southampton General Hospital by South Central Ambulance Service for treatment.
Driver Flees, Leaving Passenger Helpless
Witnesses say the driver jumped from the wrecked car and ran off before emergency crews arrived, leaving the woman alone in the damaged vehicle. She was reportedly crying and screaming, unable to escape on her own.
“The crash sounded like a bomb exploding,” said a nearby shopper who rushed to help. “The car was a total mess. How anyone got out of that is a miracle.”
Police Launch Full Investigation
Police have recovered the deployed airbag from the MG and are carrying out DNA tests to track down the hit-and-run driver. Officers from Hampshire Roads Police and forensic accident investigators spent the morning examining the scene.
The road was closed between Malmesbury Road and Howard’s Grove Road to aid the investigation and for safety repairs to the damaged streetlight by Scottish and Southern Electricity.
Southampton residents and witnesses are urged to contact Hampshire Police on 101 with any information about the hit-and-run driver. The road has now been cleared and reopened.
