Two pedestrians were seriously injured after a vehicle crashed through the entrance of an M&S Foodhall at Silverlink Shopping Park in Wallsend, North Tyneside. A car appears to have reversed over a bollard and smashed through the doors of the Marks and Spencer store. Police, paramedics, fire crews and the Great North Air Ambulance Service were called to the scene, and a police cordon remains in place. Northumbria Police has said the reasons for the car crash are "yet to be established."
Timeline of the incident
Shortly after 2pm on Tuesday, emergency services were called to Silverlink following reports of a collision. An area of the retail park was cordoned off, with road users advised to avoid the area. Pictures from the scene showed the back-end of a vehicle, which looks like a people carrier, buried in the large front store window of M&S.
Emergency response and injuries
Police officers, firefighters and ambulance crews were sent to the scene. The Great North Air Ambulance Service also landed in the area. Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service sent crews from Byker, Tynemouth and Wallsend Community Fire Stations. The North East Ambulance Service dispatched two ambulance crews, one duty officer, one rapid response paramedic, one specialist paramedic and one clinical team leader.
The North East Ambulance Service assessed "multiple patients" at the scene. Two pedestrians, understood to be a man and woman in their 60s, were transferred to Newcastle's Royal Victoria Infirmary by road. Their current condition is unknown. Northumbria Police confirmed that the driver of the car, a woman in her 70s, remained at the scene. The force has not confirmed whether any arrests have been made, but witnesses are being asked to come forward.
Police statement and appeal
A statement from Northumbria Police said: "At about 2.25pm (Tuesday), we received a report of a collision within the Silverlink Retail Park in North Tyneside. It was reported that, for reasons yet to be established, a car collided with the front of a premises.
"Two pedestrians - a man and woman, both aged in their 60s – sustained serious injuries and were taken to hospital for treatment. The driver of the car – a woman in her 70s – remained at the scene to assist with police enquiries."
"Anyone who was in the area at the time and witnessed anything, including those with dashcam footage, should contact us online or via 101. Please quote reference: NP-20261013-0624."
It is still unclear what caused the crash, or whether any arrests have been or will be made. The current condition of the two pedestrians who were taken to the RVI is also unknown, as is whether the driver sustained injuries.
