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Two children are among six people taken to hospital after a car crashed into a group of pedestrians at a Christmas market.
The incident happened on the high street in the market town of Chipping Sodbury, around 15 miles from Bristol, on Sunday just before noon.
Five ambulances and police responded to the crash, which happened when the driver of the car, a man in his 80s, was manoeuvring out of a parking space.
Witnesses described hearing a “loud screech”, and then people shouting as the group of pedestrians were struck by the vehicle.
Avon and Somerset Police said the eight people – seven pedestrians, including two children, and the driver – were injured.
Four adults and two children were then taken to hospital, while the two remaining adults were checked over at the scene by paramedics before being discharged.
A force spokesperson said no one was described as having either life-threatening or life-changing injuries.
Market stall holder Ady Jones described hearing a “loud screech” as he saw the car move.
He told the BBC: “There was a loud screech. There was lots of shouting and clearly people had been injured. The stalls had to close for quite a while, but thankfully people were not seriously injured.
“The situation could have been far worse.”
Esra Ward, who was running a pizza stall, told the BBC: “The car was parked, and suddenly we saw him accelerate coming out of his parking space and hit a couple of people.
“There was a mum with a baby in a pushchair in front of the car. Apparently at the back he has hit a few more people, a family.”
Despite the incident, the organisers of the annual event, which draws a large crowd to the high street, said it would continue.
The event started at 11am and was due to finish at 5.30pm.
In a statement, the organisers said: “As many of you are aware there has been an incident at the top of the High Street.
“We have been advised by the police not to cancel today’s event so the remainder of the High Street from Hobbs House Bakery down towards Broad Street and Horse Street is still open.
“We would ask anyone attending today to please not take photos of the incident, and not speculate on social media as we work the emergency services to help those people who need assistance.”
The Portcullis Hotel, near the high street, posted a message on social media after the incident. It read: “In light of the incident that occurred today at the top of the High Street we would like to send our well wishes to all of those who were unfortunately involved.
“We would also like to take a moment for us all to appreciate the emergency services and the members of the public who were all there to quickly help.”
A Santa float arranged from 5pm was also set to go ahead, it was reported on social media.
Source: independent.co.uk
