Suspected Leam Lane hit and run leaves two pensioners with life-changing injuries

Police are appealing for witnesses after a suspected hit-and-run in Leam Lane which left two pensioners with life-changing injuries.

Police received a report of a three-vehicle collision in Leam Lane in Gateshead on Wednesday (December 14) at around 2pm.

Involved in the collision was a stolen vehicle, a light blue Ford Focus RS - which was abandoned at the scene.

Emergency services attended the scene and the occupants of one of the cars involved, two elderly women, were taken to hospital. Both of the women have suffered life-changing injuries as a result of the collision.

Officers are now trying to trace the occupants of the Ford Focus RS, two males, who were seen fleeing the scene on foot.

Inspector Phil Patterson, of Northumbria Police, said: “This was a very serious collision which has left two elderly women with life-threatening injuries. Substantial enquiries are now underway to identify those responsible.

“This was a cowardly act which has devastated the lives of the two victims and we are urging the public to help us bring the offenders to justice. To run off from the scene leaving two elderly women in such a grave condition is unacceptable in anyone’s eyes.

“We will not stop until we identify those responsible and we are therefore appealing to anyone who witnessed what happened or who may have relevant dash cam or CCTV footage to contact us immediately – it could hold the key to the investigation.

“In addition if anyone saw a light blue Ford Focus in the locality prior to the collision occurring, please get in touch.”

Witnesses or anyone with information should contact Northumbria Police via the ‘Tell Us Something’ page on their website or by calling the non-emergency 101 line and quoting NP-20221214-0504. Alternatively, call the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.