Two women were cut free from the mangled wrecks of their cars after a seven vehicle pile-up on a busy A-road in east London.
Emergency services descended on the scene of the accident which happened shortly after 1pm today on the A13 Newham Way travelling out of London.
Dramatic pictures show crumpled cars as well as one van and a lorry which were also badly damaged.
Firefighters used heavy cutting gear to rescue the occupants of the vehicles.
Two women who were cut out of their cars by the London Fire Brigade were injured.
They were taken to hospital as a priority, one with pelvic and one with neck injuries, the London Ambulance Service said.
Asia Begum, 32, who witnessed the aftermath of the crash, told the Standard: "The vehicles were all lined up, one after the other.
"There was bits of car everywhere. The roofs of the cars had been cut off and firefighters were rescuing the people inside.
"There were a lot of ambulances and fire engines, it was really scary, really, really shocking."
Fahima Mia, who was travelling in the same car as Ms Begum, added: "I was in shock, it looked really, really bad.
"I felt terrified looking at that huge accident, it was scary."
Two cars were involved in an initial crash which caused the pile-up, while two vans, a removal lorry and a skip also crashed, the London Fire Brigade said.
Four other people were taken to hospital. An update on their condition was not immediately available.
Road closures were put in place as police, paramedics and firefighters remained at the scene.
A spokesman for the London Fire Brigade said: "The A13 Newham Way eastbound between Prince Regent Lane and Beckton Flyover is closed. Please avoid the area if possible.
"The Brigade was called at 1.16pm. Fire crews Shadwell, Poplar, East Ham and Bethnal Green fire stations are at the scene."
The road reopened shortly after 7pm.
