Richard Ayoade was caught up in a serious road collision in south-east London that left two women injured and requiring hospital treatment.
The IT Crowd star, 49, was seen standing beside his damaged Mercedes SUV after the incident near Goose Green roundabout in East Dulwich on Saturday afternoon.
Witnesses claimed a Renault struck one pedestrian before crashing into the side of Ayoade’s vehicle and then hitting a second woman.
Emergency services rushed to the scene at around 5pm, with police officers and paramedics reportedly surrounding the busy junction as the injured pedestrians were treated.
Both women were later taken to a major trauma centre.
The Metropolitan Police confirmed that their injuries were not believed to be life-threatening or life-changing.
Witness claims woman was thrown across roundabout
One witness alleged that the Renault had been travelling quickly before the first pedestrian was struck.
“The Renault came speeding along the road and hit a woman,” the witness claimed.
“She ended up on the other side of the roundabout.”
According to the same account, the vehicle then collided with Ayoade’s Mercedes before striking another pedestrian.
“We heard one of the pedestrians who was hit screaming and crying,” the witness added.
The exact circumstances surrounding the collision remain under investigation, and the witness claims have not been independently verified.
Police have not publicly established the speed of either vehicle or assigned responsibility for the crash.
Ayoade seen clutching his neck
Photographs taken after the collision appeared to show Ayoade outside his Mercedes speaking with police officers.
The comedian was reportedly seen holding his neck, suggesting he may have experienced discomfort following the impact.
Other images showed him gesturing towards the road and damaged vehicles while explaining what had happened.
There was no immediate confirmation that Ayoade required hospital treatment.
Representatives for the television star were contacted for comment, but no public statement had been issued at the time of the report.
The photographs did not suggest that Ayoade had been arrested or accused of wrongdoing.
He appeared to remain at the scene and cooperate with officers as they began examining the collision.
Emergency services “swarmed” the area
The crash created chaotic scenes around the East Dulwich roundabout.
Police vehicles and ambulances attended while sections of the road were controlled and the damaged cars examined.
The London Ambulance Service confirmed that crews treated two women before transporting them to specialist hospital care.
A spokesperson said: “We treated two women at the scene before taking them to a major trauma centre.”
Both vehicles were subsequently removed from the area.
The Metropolitan Police said inquiries were continuing but offered reassurance regarding the pedestrians’ conditions.
Although both women suffered injuries serious enough to require trauma-centre assessment, police said they were not considered life-changing or life-threatening.
Investigation remains ongoing
Officers are now working to establish the exact sequence of events.
Investigators are expected to consider witness statements, vehicle damage and any available CCTV or dashcam footage from the surrounding roads.
It is not clear whether any arrests have been made.
Police have also not confirmed whether charges are being considered against anyone involved.
Until the inquiry is completed, accounts describing the Renault as “speeding” remain allegations from witnesses rather than formal police findings.
Ayoade’s involvement appears to have been as the driver or occupant of one of the vehicles struck during the incident.
Shock for local residents
The collision reportedly happened during a busy Saturday afternoon, when the streets surrounding Goose Green would ordinarily have been filled with shoppers, families and pedestrians.
Witnesses described hearing the impact and seeing injured people on the road as emergency crews arrived.
A crash involving two cars would already have caused considerable disruption at the roundabout.
The involvement of pedestrians made the scene considerably more serious, prompting paramedics to transfer both women to a hospital equipped to deal with major injuries.
Local residents watched as officers secured the area and began gathering information.
The presence of Ayoade, one of Britain’s most recognisable comedy figures, quickly attracted additional attention.
Ayoade known for The IT Crowd
Ayoade became a household name through his portrayal of socially awkward computer expert Maurice Moss in Channel 4 comedy The IT Crowd.
The role earned him a BAFTA for Best Male Performance in a Comedy Programme in 2014.
His deadpan delivery, distinctive appearance and eccentric characterisation made Moss one of the most memorable sitcom figures of the 2000s.
Ayoade starred alongside Chris O’Dowd, Katherine Parkinson and Matt Berry in the programme, which followed the chaotic employees of a company’s neglected IT department.
The show developed a loyal international following and remains closely associated with his career.
Television and directing success
Beyond The IT Crowd, Ayoade has built a varied career as an actor, presenter, writer and director.
He became the face of Channel 4 travel series Travel Man: 48 Hours In…, bringing his dry humour to short city breaks around the world.
He has also appeared on panel shows and entertainment programmes including The Big Fat Quiz of the Year.
As a filmmaker, he directed the critically acclaimed coming-of-age comedy Submarine and the psychological dark comedy The Double.
His voice work has included roles in animated productions and family films, allowing him to become familiar to younger audiences as well.
Despite his public career, Ayoade has generally kept his private and family life out of the spotlight.
He is married and has three children.
No indication of serious injuries to star
While Ayoade was seen holding his neck, there has been no official indication that he sustained a serious injury.
His presence outside the vehicle and conversation with officers suggested he was able to remain mobile after the impact.
However, discomfort following a collision can develop later, and it remains unknown whether he sought a subsequent medical assessment.
The primary concern at the scene centred on the two pedestrians.
Their transfer to a major trauma centre reflected the seriousness with which paramedics treated their injuries, even though police later said neither woman was believed to be in a life-threatening condition.
Police seek to establish full circumstances
The investigation will now determine how the Renault came to strike the pedestrians and collide with Ayoade’s Mercedes.
Officers may also need to establish the direction in which each vehicle had been travelling and whether road conditions, visibility or driver actions contributed to the incident.
At this stage, the public account is based largely on photographs and statements from people who witnessed the aftermath.
No conclusions should be drawn about criminal responsibility until the Metropolitan Police complete their inquiries.
What is known is that two women were struck, two vehicles were damaged and emergency crews responded in force.
Ayoade, visibly shaken and apparently experiencing neck discomfort, was left standing beside his Mercedes as officers attempted to piece together the frightening sequence of events.
For the pedestrians and their families, the most important update is that police do not currently believe their injuries will prove life-changing or fatal.
But the collision remains a deeply disturbing incident — and one whose full cause has yet to be established.
