Man seriously injured in Long Lane 'road rage'

Officers say that the incident appears to have started at around 7pm on Long Lane near the junction with Great Dover Street.

An altercation occurred between the drivers of two cars and continued as they drove towards Borough High Street.

The cars involved were a black Toyota Prius and a grey BMW.

As they arrived at the junction of Great Dover Street and Marshalsea Road, around 7.20pm, the driver of the BMW was out of his car and was in collision with the Toyota. The Toyota failed to stop at the scene.

The BMW driver, a 45 year old man, was taken to an east London hospital suffering from head injuries. He remains in a critical condition.

A 52 year old man later voluntarily attended a Southwark police station and was arrested in connection with the incident. He has been bailed to return on 10 January, pending further enquiries.

The incident is being investigated by Southwark CID.

"The area where this incident took place is a very busy part of Southwark and there would have been many pedestrians as well as drivers in the area at that early part of the evening," says DC Fiona Cape.

"I am seeking any witnesses to the altercation between the two drivers. We believe the Toyota car overtook the BMW at Long Lane and the Toyota car was then pinned against the kerb. Drivers exchanged words through their windows, then the BMW stopped further up the road and the driver got out. It was then he was in collision with the Toyota.

"In all, we believe the incident lasted just under 20 minutes. Please get in touch with us if you saw anything at all of this incident."

Anyone with any information should call DC Cape on 020 7232 6166 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 if you wish to remain anonymous.