It is believed the vehicle was being chased by police when the collision took place in the busy north London tourist spot last night.

Several men fled the crashed car chased by plain-clothed police officers, according to reports.

One suspect was caught and arrested while a hunt was underway for other suspects last night.

A woman in her fifties was treated by medics on the scene for injuries to her head and leg before being taken to hospital by ambulance.

Witnesses told the Camden New Journal they saw a BMW travelling the wrong way down Camden High Street before colliding with a bollard near the Camden Town Tube station. 

The vehicle apparently veered off the road and came to a stop next to a set of black railings.

One witness said: “That unmarked police car looked like he chased them down Camden Road, he’s come through here, crashed into this bloody great stone pillar and hit this woman in front of the khazi. Fancy chasing people in rush hour. It’s got to stop, these police chases.”

Another told the CNJ: “I was standing out the CeX [on Camden High Street]. I heard a big thud, then I saw two people jump out of the car and they ran past me, running up the high street. It seemed like the police were right behind them. On the balance of probabilities, I would say they were in a pursuit.”

The road was closed off and police advised motorists to avoid the area.

A Met spokesman said: “Police began an authorised pursuit of a suspect vehicle at approximately 17.09hrs on Thursday, 16 November in the Camden area.

“The suspect vehicle was involved in a road traffic collision in Camden High Street, at the junction with Greenland Road.

“A female pedestrian, believed to be aged in her 50s, was injured in the collision. She is being treated by colleagues from the London Ambulance Service for suspected injuries to her leg and head. A number of males are believed to have decamped from the vehicle.

“One male has been arrested. Attempts to locate the other occupants are ongoing.”