Car ploughs into the front of Cannock corner shop

The News and Booze Express store in Staffordshire was open at the time when a BMW X5 hurtled towards it and smashed through the front wall and window.

The car had been involved in a collision with another vehicle, a Hyundai Accent, and ended up smashing into the front of the off-licence in Pye Green Road, Cannock, opposite the cemetery.

Debris from the car and glass from the shop window was left strewn across the pavement outside. The inside of the shop was also damaged and stock from the shelves left scattered across the floor.

Witnesses spoke of seeing debris from the BMW flying through the air.

One shopworker from News and Booze Express was actually walking out of the door when the crash happened yesterday and had a lucky escape.

Christine Williams, aged 52, who lives in the town, said: "I was on my way to the garage and had just got out the door when both cars just flew past me.

"One went straight through the window and the other passed me down the other side.

"It all happened so fast. I didn't realise what was happening. It was all very quick.

"There was an horrendous bang with bits flying off the cars and the building.

"We are all a bit shocked by it, especially as I was out the front of the shop at the time.

"It could have been so much worse. You dread to think about it."

Structural engineers from Staffordshire County Council were sent out to the shop to assess the damage and check the building was safe.

Neighbour Eric Cox, who lives in Pye Green Road, was at home when the car crashed into the shop.

The 79-year-old said: "I was in the shower at the time and did not hear anything but I saw a police car so I got dressed and came out to have a look.

"I saw the car in the front of the shop. I can't say I'm totally surprised as it was only a matter of time something like that happened on this road." Staffordshire Police spokeswoman Sarah

Davison said: "We were called out to reports of a collision just before 9am.

"It involved a blue Hyundai Accent and silver BMW X5. The BMW had collided with the front of the shop.

"Structural engineers from the council were there to look at the damage."

West Midlands Ambulance Service spokesman Steve Parry added there were no serious injuries.

He said: "A paramedic and rapid response vehicle attended the scene. Two patients were treated and they had minor injuries."

No one else was injured in the crash, he confirmed.

The Hyundai Accent suffered significant damage to its front end in the smash.

Three police cars and a rapid response paramedic vehicle attended.

After an initial examination of the wreckage police taped off the scene to prevent access to the building which was feared to be unsafe.

It prompted interest from passers-by and residents who stopped to take photographs on their mobile phones.

The accident forced the shop to stop trading and it was expected to remain closed for the rest of the day.

It is not known when it is likely to reopen.