Two people were taken to hospital following a "nasty crash" that sent one car skidding into a war memorial as crowds gathered to mark Armed Forces Day.  

Police and emergency services were called to the junction of Kings Head Hill in Chingford on Saturday June 27) at just after 2pm. 

An ambulance crew was sent to the scene and took the female driver of a Volkswagon Golf, reported to be in her 40s, and the driver of a Ford Focus, a man in his 20s, to hospital.

Police have said they did not suffer life-changing or life-threatening injuries.   

A spokesman for Scotland Yard, said: "The two cars collided and the driver of the Ford Focus skidded and hit the war memorial.

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The Golf after it collided with the war memorial (Russell Hurley)

"Both drivers were taken to two seperate east London hospitals. No arrests have been made."

The Focus hit a wooden post and metal fence which prevented it from careering straight into the grade II-listed memorial cross. 

The crash happened outside Chingford Police Station, just yards from The Green in Station Road, where a large crowd had gathered to celebrate Armed Forces Day with a parade, and 'fun day'.  

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Aftermath: The post and fencing surrounding the war memorial at the top of Kings Head Hill

Lorry driver Russell Hurley from Walthamstow witnessed the aftermath. 

"It looked as though it was a really nasty crash," he said. 

"The Golf was really battered up, the airbag was out and there was quite a lot of blood on it.

"The other car smacked into the war memorial and was badly damaged. 

"You could see the cars had collided at some speed as there was visible damage and the airbags had come out on both cars.  

"At least 12 officers were on the scene and had roped off the whole junction." 
 

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The memorial opposite Chingford Police Station at The Ridgeway