Eye witnesses have described the horrible aftermath of an accident which killed three people in Palmers Green in the early hours of this morning.

The trio died after the car they were travelling in collided with a lorry and caught fire in Bowes Road, at the junction with Natal Road, just before 12.30am.

Marios Sofianou, 47, who lives in Cyprus but had come over to stay with his parents in Bowes Road for the festive period, said: “We heard a big bang and came out of the house immediately.

“A car going westbound had clipped the central reservation and had crashed into a lorry on the other side. It happened right in front of our house.”

Mr Sofianou described the state of the car in which three people died as a “squashed empty cigarette packet”.

“It was so horrible,” he said. “As we came out of the house, literally seconds after the crash, the car was on fire and I believe there were three people inside. Though I think they may have died on impact there was nothing we could do anyway.

“People came out of their homes with fire extinguishers and tried to put out the fire but we couldn’t. The police and fire brigade came very quickly but they could not save them either.

“I’ve had nightmares all night. I have never seen anything like this.”

Mr Sofianou’s father Neos, 72, added: “Road accidents happen here every week. But something as terrible as this I have never seen.”

Police believe a Subaru Impreza was driving westbound on the North Circular Road when it hit the central reservation and collided with a lorry on the eastbound carriageway.

The London Fire Brigade were called and put out the blaze by 1.06am.

It is understood that three people in the Subaru died – their next of kin have not yet been informed.

A Vauxhall Astra was also involved in the incident and two men were taken to North Middlesex University Hospital suffering from minor injuries. One was discharged and then arrested by police on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving, the second has also been arrested for the same charge but is still in hospital.

The driver of the lorry suffered minor injuries and was also taken to the hospital in Sterling Way, Edmonton.

Officers from the Road Death Investigation Unit at Chadwell Heath Traffic Garage are investigating. They are appealing for witnesses and are keen to hear from anyone who may have seen any cars travelling in a group on the A406.

Anyone with any information are asked to call 020 8597 4874.

The road was closed during the morning rush hour but reopened by 10am.

North London News