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Two elderly residents dead after stolen car crashed into Sunderland care home

today11/07/2025

Two elderly residents dead after stolen car crashed into Sunderland care home
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Two elderly residents dead after stolen car crashed into Sunderland care home

Two elderly residents have died after a stolen BMW which was being pursued by police crashed into a care home, a force has said.

Highcliffe Care Home in Witherwack, Sunderland, had to be evacuated following the serious collision which caused structural damage to the building at around 9.40pm on Wednesday.

On Friday morning, Northumbria Police said: “Sadly, two care home residents – a woman in her 90s and a woman in her 80s – passed away yesterday.

“The next of kin for both women have been notified and are being supported by specially-trained officers.

“Following this sad update, the investigation will now also consider whether the collision contributed to their deaths.”

Two 21-year-olds who had previously been questioned were re-arrested on suspicion of manslaughter following the deaths.

Both were originally arrested on suspicion of theft of a motor vehicle, while one was also arrested on suspicion of dangerous driving.

They remained in police custody.

Northumbria Police said eight other residents were taken to hospital in the aftermath with injuries not believed to be life-threatening and only one of these remained in hospital on Friday.

The BMW was reported stolen from an address in Fenham, Newcastle, at around 9.20pm on Wednesday and it was seen in the Sunderland area around 15 minutes later.

Police were authorised to pursue the vehicle, which crashed into the care home around five minutes later.

Following the police pursuit, a mandatory referral has been made to the Independent Office for Police Conduct, the force said.

Chief Superintendent Mark Hall, of Northumbria Police, said: “This is an extremely sad development and all of our thoughts are with the family and loved ones of everyone affected.

“We will continue to support them in any way that we can at this time.

“Our investigations remain at an early stage, and we would ask people to avoid speculation both online and in the community.”

On Friday, a spokesperson for Avery Healthcare, which runs the care home, said: “We are deeply saddened by the incident at our home in Sunderland and our thoughts are with all those affected.

“We are committed to supporting our residents, their families, and our dedicated staff during this incredibly difficult time.

“We are immensely grateful for the compassion and professionalism our teams have shown and continue to show.

“As this remains part of an active police investigation, we are unable to comment further at this stage.”

A metal barrier has been put up outside the damaged care home, which appeared to be deserted two days after the crash, the residents having been moved to alternative accommodation.

Large cracks in the brickwork were visible around the crash site and debris had spilled out on to the garden.

The latest CQC report into the home, from 2021, said it looked after a maximum of 60 residents, including people with dementia.

One woman, who lived nearby and who asked not to be named, said it was “disgusting” that two elderly people had died in the aftermath of the crash.

Another local resident said she was sitting on her settee on Wednesday evening when she heard a bang.

The resident, who also asked not to be named, said there was a major response from the emergency services.

She said the driver arrested at the scene was checked out by paramedics and appeared to be well.

Another man, believed to have run off, was searched for by dog handlers, she said.

On the deaths of the two residents, she said: “I think it must have been the trauma of what happened.

“It’s shocking.”

Published: by Radio NewsHub

Written by: Radio News Hub


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