Car ploughs into crowd at Christmas market as two children including baby rushed to hospital
A car has ploughed into a group of pedestrians at Christmas market, hospitalising two children, including a young baby.
Emergency services rushed to the scene in Chipping Sodbury, near Bristol after they received a call about a low-speed collision on Sunday afternoon.
Five adults were also hurt and were treated at the scene.
The driver, believed to be a man in his 80s, collided with seven pedestrians while manoeuvring out of a parking space, Avon and Somerset Police said.
No one is currently described as having either life-threatening or life-changing injuries, a spokesperson from the force said.
Five paramedic crews, an air ambulance, and several other resources were sent to the market town just 18 miles away from Bristol.
“We’d like to reassure people that despite the large emergency response no one is currently described as having either life-threatening or life-changing injuries,” a spokesperson from the force said.
“Anyone who saw what happened, or who has any footage which could help, and who has not spoken with officers at the scene is asked to contact the police.”
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In a statement posted to Facebook, the organisers confirmed the market was still continuing.
They said: “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.”
Market stall holder Ady Jones, who witnessed the crash, told the BBC that the “situation could have been a lot worse”.
“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.”
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.”