Car reverses into shop window after crash

This image shows how a motorist careered through a huge glass entrance to a Wolverhampton furniture and clothing store.

Horrified shoppers and staff at Laura Ashley on the Bentley Bridge retail park, in Wednesfield, had to be evacuated through the back doors after the silver Volkswagen Polo reversed into the entrance window yesterday.

One 56-year-old passer-by, who asked not to be named, said he was in the nearby Argos store when the drama unfolded.

"I heard the crash from inside Argos. People rushed outside and there was a car that had driven into the shop window," he said.

"There was glass everywhere and people were standing around just shocked at what had happened. Some were taking pictures on their phones. I've never seen anything like that before."

West Midlands Police spokesman Lee Page said yesterday's incident happened at about 2.40pm. "A silver VW Polo and a red Hyundai coupé were in collision and the Polo reversed into the shop window. Two people were in the Polo vehicle." No-one was injured as a result of the incident. The store reopened this morning after the window had been made safe by workers.

Earlier this month, a three-storey block of flats had to be evacuated after a car crashed into the front of the building leaving two women needing medical treatment.

The driver was trapped in her Kia car for 45 minutes after the smash in Salop Street, Dudley.

And last year, an elderly couple had a narrow escape when a car smashed through the front of The Waterfront Inn at The Waterfront, Brierley Hill.