AN INVESTIGATION was launched last night after a suspected stolen car crashed into the garden of a house while it was being followed by police.Traffic officers said it was a miracle no one was killed when the convertible Mini careered off Wherstead Road in Ipswich before ploughing into a garden fence and landing on its roof.

By Danielle Nuttall

AN INVESTIGATION was launched last night after a suspected stolen car crashed into the garden of a house while it was being followed by police.

Traffic officers said it was a miracle no one was killed when the convertible Mini careered off Wherstead Road in Ipswich before ploughing into a garden fence and landing on its roof.

Three teenagers were in the car and all were taken to hospital with serious injuries. The road was immediately closed, causing traffic chaos in the town centre.

Police began following the car shortly after 5pm after receiving reports it had been stolen.

Moments later the vehicle lost control and overturned, before landing upside down in the driveway of a property just before the railway bridge in Wherstead Road.

Firefighters used cutting equipment to free a trapped victim from the wreckage.

Three young men were taken to hospital with what police described as serious but not life-threatening injuries. No other vehicles were involved in the crash.

Sgt Steve Griff, of Suffolk police, said: "The car had three occupants. It was followed by a police vehicle and as a result, crashed into the garden.

"All three were taken to hospital with serious injuries, but these are not believed to be life-threatening.

"The accident will be subject to a police investigation. An accident investigator will be looking at the scene.

"They are extremely lucky not to have been killed in a crash like that."

Pc Chris Rodda, of Suffolk police's traffic unit, said the Mini car had been spotted by a police patrol vehicle seconds before it crashed.

"The police car was not trying to contain it. It all took place in a minute," he added.

Police closed the road as emergency crews dealt with the incident and traffic was diverted.

Motorists in rush-hour traffic faced major delays both coming in and out of Ipswich.

Donna Nunn, the owner of the property where the vehicle crashed, spoke of relief last night that her car was not parked on the driveway with her and her nine-year-old daughter Camilla inside at the time of the accident.

The pair were seconds behind the vehicle on their way home from the town centre and saw the accident as it happened.

"I was coming home from town and they overtook me. Police were following, and then the car just swerved and went over the fence in my house.

"I'm glad I wasn't a couple of minutes early because it would have been on top of my car."

Mrs Nunn said the vehicle had bounced off the top of her porch before landing upside down on to the metal fence and driveway.

The mother left her daughter in the car as she got out to reassure one of the trapped occupants of the vehicle until paramedics were on the scene.

A spokeswoman for Suffolk police said: "Police were following a suspected stolen car when the vehicle lost control and overturned. No police vehicle was involved in the incident.

"As a matter of course this accident will be investigated and police are appealing for witnesses to contact Pc Steve Griff at force headquarters on 01473 613500."