Witnesses have spoken of their horror following a car crash that killed one man and seriously injured a teenager in Finchley last week.

The driver of a Ford Mondeo, 43-year-old Stephen Wheatcroft, of North Hill, Highgate, died when the car veered across the Great North Road and smashed into a brick wall at 5pm last Thursday.

A teenage girl, who was also in the car, remains in a serious condition in hospital.

A woman thought to be in her 30s, believed to be the mother of the teenager, was treated for arm and back injuries.

She has since been discharged from hospital.

Marcella Doyle was driving in the opposite lane when she saw the crash.

She said: "I couldn't believe it - the car was in the air and coming towards me before landing on the pavement next to my car.

"You couldn't tell what car it was afterwards, it was a real mess.

"It looked really bad, everyone was trying to help, but it is terrible when it happens right in front of you."

Workers at the Hexagon car garage, on the other side of the road, rushed to help the victims despite the risk of the vehicle exploding.

Sales assistant Ed Davis, 23, said: "Just as I got outside, a woman jumped out of the car and was shouting that her daughter was in there.

"We were trying to open the door and get her out.

"It was horrific and distressing, but at the time you don't worry about your safety when you know people are badly hurt."

His colleague, Guy Barclay, 30, admitted instinct took over when he saw the crash.

"I have a daughter and when I heard the woman shouting, it spurred me on to cross the road," he said.

"The car was smoking, but I hope someone would do the same if the roles were reversed."

Fire crews used cutting equipment to free the driver and the teenager from the crumpled car.

Three London Ambulance crews, two fast response cars, a doctor and a paramedic went to the crash, but a London Ambulance spokesman said the driver had stopped breathing.

He said: "Extensive efforts were made at the scene and on the way to the hospital to resuscitate the patient."

He was pronounced dead on arrival at the hospital.

Some roads were closed in the area following the crash.

Police do not believe any other vehicle was involved in the crash. They are appealing to anyone who witnessed the incident to contact Orpington Collision Investigation Unit on 020 8998 5319.