Eight people hospitalised after 'stolen BMW' crashes into care home as two men arrested

Dramatic images from the scene showed a BMW saloon car on a bank of grass by the side of the home - with a gaping hole left in one of its walls.

Furniture and residents' belongings could be seen outside in the aftermath of the crash.

While further images appear to show a ceiling having fallen into the ground floor of the home.

Northumbria Police confirmed that a 21-year-old man was arrested in connection with the incident immediately after the collision on suspicion of dangerous driving and theft of a motor vehicle.

A second 21-year-old man has since been arrested on Thursday on suspicion of theft of a motor vehicle.

An investigation into the full circumstances remains ongoing, and both men remain in police custody, the force said.

At around 9.20pm on Wednesday, police received a report of a car being stolen on Angerton Gardens in Fenham, Newcastle.

The car was said to have driven off before the force arrived.

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Some 15 minutes later, the vehicle in question was spotted travelling on the A1231 eastbound in Sunderland, sparking a police chase before the crash.

The North East Ambulance Service, Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service and Northumbria Police all attended the scene last night.

A spokesman for the former said: "We received a call at 9.41pm on Wednesday, July 9, to reports of a vehicle colliding into a premises in the Whitechurch Road area of Sunderland.

"We dispatched three emergency ambulance crews, a specialist paramedic, a duty officer, a clinical team leader, three crews from our Hazardous Area Response Team, our tactical advisor, our tactical commander, and two crews from our patient transport service to the scene.

"We assisted with the evacuation of residents at the property and eight patients were conveyed to hospital."

Northumbria Police's chief superintendent Mark Hall said: "We're working closely with our blue-light partners, as well as the local authority and NHS colleagues, to support those involved.

"I'd like to thank them for their assistance in ensuring the safety of all residents and staff.

"Our officers remain in the area with other agencies to carry out enquiries and offer reassurance to the public. I'd ask anyone with concerns to speak to an officer on duty."