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A man from Iran is currently in critical condition following a car collision in Golders Green on Wednesday evening.

A video captured at the location shortly after 8pm shows astonished onlookers quickly rushing to assist the 41-year-old individual who was severely injured on the road.

The event took place on Golders Green Road, in the northwest area.London, near the Iranian memorial wall where a suspected fire attack occurred in April – and just a few meters from the location of a major fire at a Kosher supermarket earlier on Wednesday.

The Metropolitan Police stated that a 39-year-old Iraqi man has now been taken into custody on charges including causing serious bodily harm, inflicting severe injuries through reckless driving, and refusing to provide a drug test.

He is still in police custody, and investigations are continuing, with the Met Police stating that the incident is not being considered as a terrorist act.

The victim has been hospitalized with ‘life-threatening injuries’ at this time.

Members of the Jewish community’s security organization Shomrim and the community-based ambulance service Hatzola were present along with the Metropolitan Police and the London Ambulance Service.

In a statement from Metropolitan Police, a representative stated: ‘Police were contacted at 8:24 PM on Wednesday, May 27, after reports of a crash between a vehicle and a pedestrian on Golders Green Road, NW11.’

A 41-year-old individual, who is an Iranian citizen, was hospitalized due to severe injuries.

A 39-year-old individual from Iraq has been taken into custody with allegations of inflicting severe physical harm, causing significant injuries through reckless driving, and not submitting to a drug test.

He is still in police custody and investigations are continuing.

A probe is being conducted by officers from the Met’s Serious Collision Investigation Unit. It is not considered to be related to terrorism.

Detective Chief Superintendent Luke Williams, who is responsible for law enforcement in northwest London, including Barnet, stated: ‘We understand that this event will raise considerable worries within the local community, and residents can anticipate a sustained police presence throughout the night.’

Officers are moving swiftly to determine the details, and I would ask anyone with knowledge to contact us.

We know about videos spreading on social media that seem to depict the accident and the people involved.

We advise against the public sharing them because of the explicit content and to ensure the investigation remains intact.

Anyone who has relevant information is encouraged to contact the police on 101, referencing CAD 8355/27MAY, visit met.police.uk, or reach out to Crimestoppers confidentially at 0800 555 111.

The event occurred just hours following over 100 firefighters being dispatched to a fire located less than a minute’s walk away at Kosher Kingdom, just before 7 a.m. on Wednesday morning.

No injuries were mentioned, and the situation is not considered unusual.

A major emergency response for both events on Wednesday occurs amid increased tension within the Jewish and Iranian communities, following a series of recent arson incidents, as well as a terrorist attack in Golders Green where two Jewish men were stabbed.

Counter Terrorism Policing is also still looking into an arson incident targeting the memorial wall near Limes Avenue in Golders Green, which occurred on 27 April.

A 46-year-old man and a 38-year-old woman were taken into custody earlier this month and have since been granted bail with a court appearance scheduled for June.

The wall has served as a site for contemplation by demonstrators opposing the Iranian government and is covered with hundreds of images of individuals who lost their lives during the crackdown by the Iranian authorities in January.

A section also honors the individuals who lost their lives during the 2023 Hamas attack at the Nova music festival in Israel, and includes a statement of support for the Jewish community after the recent series of attacks.

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