Driver's horror as smash with vehicle pursued by Leeds police flips her car

The junction of Spencer Place and Francis Road in Chapeltown. Picture: Google Maps.

A Leeds woman has relived the moment a speeding vehicle being pursued by police smashed into her car and flipped it over.

Sarah Handley’s car was hit with such force that it spun 360 degrees and rolled over several times, before coming to a stop on its side.

As witnesses to the collision in Chapeltown came to her aid, the occupants of the Renault Megane ran away.

Sarah, 31, said: “It hit my car with such force that it’s been taken from my hands. It’s spun round, flipped on its side.

“I feel like I’ve been given a second life. The fact I had a solid car is probably the only reason I’m here today.”

The crash in Spencer Place took place on Monday just after 6pm when the surrounding residential nearby were busy with people travelling home from work.

In the chaotic moments that followed large crowds gathered to see what had happened and police tried to divert queueing cars as Sarah’s overturned Subaru Forrester blocked the road.

One witness, who did not want to be named, said: “I had just been to the shop and as I was walking back, this vehicle came careering up Francis Street, straight across Spencer Place. I had to literally jump out of the way.

“The vehicle that was being chased was doing 70mph or 80mph.

“The silver 4x4 spun and rolled two or three times, before coming to a halt on its side. The car that hit it was only small and still it was rolled over. You can imagine by that the speed it must have been travelling.

“It was a really nasty scene. I’m just glad the lady was okay. She must have been absolutely petrified.”