Moment ‘little old lady’ parking outside gallery reverses straight through front window
This is the moment an old lady accidentally reversed her car through the shop window of an art gallery.
The elderly driver was reportedly trying to park closer to the kerb but she lost control of her silver Toyota Yaris.
It gathered speed as it smashed through the glass front window of Westover Gallery in Ringwood, Hampshire.
The vehicle wiped out an installation in the shop window before it came to rest in the front room.
Thankfully, she was not injured and nobody inside the gallery was harmed in the incident at 9.20am on Thursday.
However, the gallery will be closed for up to eight weeks for repairs.
Calvin Smith, director of the gallery, said: ‘A little old lady was parking her car down the road, and she wasn’t parked close enough to the curb, so she reversed it back, but she kept reversing at speed, she bounced off the kerb into our shop.
‘She reversed half the length of the high street and then reversed straight in here, which is quite impressive.
‘The hard job is clearing up; the aftermath is not easy.
‘Unfortunately, a beautiful installation in the window got completely hammered, so that was a shame.’
A Westover Gallery spokesperson posted on Facebook: ‘Westover Gallery would like to say a really big thank you to everyone for their help and concern after an accident this morning when a car went through our window.
‘Thankfully no one was hurt however the driver of the car was taken to hospital on recommendation by the paramedic. Our thoughts are with her for a speedy recovery.
‘A special thanks to everyone for their kindness, help and support, we have fabulous neighbours and fellow traders.
‘Also our thanks to the police, ambulance and firefighters who attended today. We will of course be closed for 4-8 weeks before we can reopen.
‘Frustrating for all involved but we are truly blessed that no one was hurt.’
A spokesperson for Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary said: ‘We were called to a report of a single-vehicle collision with a shop on High Street, Ringwood at approximately 9.20am today (Thurs).
‘The vehicle involved was a Toyota Yaris. South Central Ambulance Service was also in attendance.
‘There were no reported injuries, and the vehicle has now been recovered.’
A spokesperson for Hampshire and Isle of Wight Fire said: ‘Firefighters from Ringwood and DWFRS were alerted to an RTC on the high street at around half nine this morning.
‘The car involved had crashed into a shop, but fortunately no one was trapped.
‘Working with the police, firefighters made the scene safe before leaving at around half 10.’
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