A DRIVER plowed into Christmas shoppers, injuring seven – including a child who was taken to hospital.
Five adults and two children were injured after an elderly driver, believed to be in his 80s, collided with pedestrians attending a Christmas market in Chipping Sodbury, near Bristol, earlier today.
Avon and Somerset Police said the collision occurred at the top of Main Street before noon when police were called to a report of a low-speed car colliding with a pedestrian while maneuvering out of a parking space.
One witness, Israa Ward, who runs a pizza stall in the market, saw the whole thing unfold.
She told the BBC: “We were just talking to customers in front of our truck.
“The car was parked, and suddenly we saw him accelerate out of the parking space and hit two people.
“There was a mother with her baby in the stroller in front of the car. It looks like he hit a few people in the back, a family. They had ambulances and police and they shot everyone here in about five minutes.”
A force spokesman said: “Ambulance crew at the scene assessed the driver – believed to be a man in his 80s – and seven pedestrians (five adults and two children).
“We would like to reassure people that despite the significant emergency response, no one is currently described as having life-threatening or life-altering injuries. Two young children, including a baby, have gone to hospital.
“Anyone who saw what happened, or has any footage that could help, and has not spoken to officers at the scene, should call 101 and give the reference number 5224315536.”
South West Ambulance Service said it received a call at 11:58 a.m. and five ambulances, an air ambulance and several other resources were dispatched to the scene.
Organizers Chipping Sodbury Christmas Sunday confirmed on Facebook that the event is still going ahead.
They said: “As many of you know, there has been an accident at the top of the High Street.
“Police have advised us not to cancel today's event so the remainder of the High Street from Hobbs House Bakery down towards Broad Street and Horse Street remains open.
“We would ask anyone attending today not to take photos of the incident, and not to speculate on social media while we work with emergency services to assist people who need help.”
