A police officer is in serious condition in hospital after he suffered a cardiac arrest while confronting a suspected drug dealer in Abbey Wood.

Police chased a car which they said failed to stop for them through Abbey Wood this morning (November 2).

The driver of the car abandoned his vehicle and ran into Knee Hill Crescent.

Police continued the chase on foot and arrested a man on suspicion of failing to stop for police and possession with intent to supply a class C drug.

A Met spokesman said: "He was taken to a south London hospital for treatment, and then to a south London police station for questioning.

"A police officer was also taken ill with a suspected cardiac arrest. He has been taken to hospital where he remains in a serious but stable condition."

A witness described seeing dozens of police rush to the scene.

He said: "One police officer was watching silver car whilst something happened down the alley, all of a sudden the police officer that was watching the car sprints down the alley then comes back to grab a medical bag.

"Within seconds around 10 police cars and two ambulances appear on the scene."

The road was cordoned off whilst police investigated a car, according to the witness.