Three hurt as stolen car crashes

Police at Holliers Hill said one man ran from the scene after Sunday's 3.20am smash and was still being sought. Three others were taken by ambulance to the Conquest Hospital with serious injuries. One had a fractured skull, one a broken jaw and the third a arm and shoulder injuries. All are believed to be local.

Police used a tracker dog in an attempt to find the fourth occupant of the car.

An F-registered Ford Orion stolen in the town earlier in the night had sped down Holliers Hill from the direction of Old Town and skidded out of control on the right-hand bend by the Irvine Unit at Bexhill Hospital.

It ploughed into the back of a parked P-registered Peugeot and plunged off the road into the Irvine Unit grounds.

The Orion overturned, stoving-in the roof.

The badly-damaged Peugeot was shunted half-way across the road, blocking it.

The road remained closed while police began investigations. Because of pressure of work, it was nearly 8am before a recovery vehicle was free to haul the Orion out of the hospital grounds and clear the Peugeot off the road.

Police investigations are continuing.