A woman has been arrested on suspicion of drink-driving after a car smashed into a tram at high speed, derailing it in Croydon town centre.

It has also emerged that a young child was travelling in the Ford Focus at the time of the crash in Wellesley Road, at the junction with Station Road, on Sunday night.

Police, paramedics and firefighters worked through torrential rain to deal with the aftermath of the smash, which happened at about 10pm.

The tram was sent careering off the tracks by the force of the car's impact and travelled about 15 feet further before it came to a stop.

A woman, 26, was rushed to St George's Hospital after the crash and remains in a serious but stable condition, a Metropolitan Police spokesman said.

She was arrested in hospital on suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol and bailed to a date in early April.

A 29-year-old man and child, believed to be about five, were also taken to hospital after the crash, although are not thought to have been seriously injured.

They are both believed to have been travelling in the Ford Focus.

Two other people were taken to Croydon University Hopsital with non-serious injuries, according to London Ambulance Service.

Police from Croydon are investigating the crash. Anyone witnesses are asked to call 101.

Did you see what happened? Call the newsdesk on 020 8722 6388 or email daniel.omahony@newsquest.co.uk