Newark: witnesses terrified and dive out of the way after car careers down Sustrans cycle track to evade police

A witness has described her terror as she dived into nettles to avoid a speeding car that mounted the Sustrans Newark cycle path on Saturday (June 19).

Sam Farrell was out for a jog at the time of the incident, and had entered the path from Barnby Road at around 10am.

Shortly afterwards, a car came speeding towards her and other passers-by at a speed of around 50 mph.

"It wouldn't have stopped for anybody," Sam said.

"How no one was killed I will never know. It was very bizarre. I've never seen that happen before.

"They shouldn't ever be allowed to drive a car again."

The mum, who lives on Grove Street, Balderton, narrowly missed being hit by the car and said the whole incident felt like a dream.

Police tracked down the vehicle and seized it on Sydney Street at around 11am.

Sergeant Mike Taylor, of Nottinghamshire Police, said: “Officers spotted a suspicious vehicle in Hawtonville which failed to stop and then tried to evade officers by turning on to a cycle path in the Staple Lane area of Newark shortly before 10am on Saturday.

“The car was driven dangerously along the cycle track, putting the public’s safety at risk.

“It was reported that members of the public had to dive out of the way of the car which was soon after seen heading toward Northgate Station.

“We did not follow the car onto the track due to public safety concerns but we used other methods to locate it, including deploying a drone and monitoring CCTV, in order to trace it and bring the incident to a safe conclusion.

“The car was found abandoned in a car park in Sydney Street shortly before 11am and was seized.

“I’d like to reassure members of the public that we’re treating this incident seriously and are continuing to work hard to trace the driver who showed absolutely no regard for public safety.

“It’s extremely fortunate that we didn’t receive any reports of injuries as a result of this dangerous driving.

“Public safety is always our number one responsibility. We will never tolerate such incredibly dangerous and reckless behaviour such as this and we are continuing with our enquiries to identify those responsible and bring them to justice.

“There were lots of reported sightings of the silver-coloured car so I’d urge any witnesses or anyone who may have CCTV, dash-cam or mobile phone footage of the incident to please come forward.

“If you have any information which could help us with our investigation please call Nottinghamshire Police on 101, quoting incident number 255 of June 19, 2021, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.”