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Costa coffee crash: One dead, five hurt, as car hits Kent cafe | Costa coffee crash: One dead, five hurt, as car hits Kent cafe |
(about 1 hour later) | |
A woman died and five people were hurt when a car ploughed into a coffee shop. | A woman died and five people were hurt when a car ploughed into a coffee shop. |
The woman, aged in her 70s, was declared dead at the scene after the Audi crashed into Costa on The Green, Westerham, Kent at 10:30 GMT. | The woman, aged in her 70s, was declared dead at the scene after the Audi crashed into Costa on The Green, Westerham, Kent at 10:30 GMT. |
South East Coast Ambulance (Secamb) said five more people were taken to hospital, four with serious injuries and one with minor injuries. | South East Coast Ambulance (Secamb) said five more people were taken to hospital, four with serious injuries and one with minor injuries. |
The A25 is closed in both directions while police investigate what happened. | The A25 is closed in both directions while police investigate what happened. |
'People in shock' | 'People in shock' |
Sally Pendleton, who is visiting Westerham for Christmas, arrived at the scene five minutes after the crash. | Sally Pendleton, who is visiting Westerham for Christmas, arrived at the scene five minutes after the crash. |
"We walked past and saw a car had just been lodged straight inside Costa Coffee," she said. | "We walked past and saw a car had just been lodged straight inside Costa Coffee," she said. |
"There was a man still in the car and probably about 12 people by the side of the Costa looking very much in shock. | "There was a man still in the car and probably about 12 people by the side of the Costa looking very much in shock. |
"There were a few people who had been hurt and quite a few elderly people as well. | "There were a few people who had been hurt and quite a few elderly people as well. |
"It's a horrible thing to have happened, on Christmas Eve of all days." | "It's a horrible thing to have happened, on Christmas Eve of all days." |
'Driver lost control' | 'Driver lost control' |
Secamb said a man and woman, both seriously injured, were taken by ambulance to St Georges Hospital in Tooting, south London. | Secamb said a man and woman, both seriously injured, were taken by ambulance to St Georges Hospital in Tooting, south London. |
Another seriously injured man and woman were taken to the Princess Royal Hospital in Farnborough. | Another seriously injured man and woman were taken to the Princess Royal Hospital in Farnborough. |
A woman with minor injuries was taken to Tunbridge Wells Hospital. | A woman with minor injuries was taken to Tunbridge Wells Hospital. |
Police have set up a witness centre at The Grasshopper public house in Westerham High Street. | Police have set up a witness centre at The Grasshopper public house in Westerham High Street. |
Ch Insp Roscoe Walford said the car came down the high street and for unknown reasons lost control, mounted the footpath and went through the window of the cafe. | Ch Insp Roscoe Walford said the car came down the high street and for unknown reasons lost control, mounted the footpath and went through the window of the cafe. |
He said: "It is a very sad occasion for Christmas Eve and especially for the family of the lady who has died. | He said: "It is a very sad occasion for Christmas Eve and especially for the family of the lady who has died. |
"We will do our very best to come to a conclusion of how this has happened and to help the family through it." | "We will do our very best to come to a conclusion of how this has happened and to help the family through it." |
Kent Fire and Rescue Service said it released two people from the car. | Kent Fire and Rescue Service said it released two people from the car. |
A spokesman for Costa Coffee said: "Our thoughts are with the victims and their families who have been affected by this very sad and shocking event. | |
"We're working with emergency services to offer all possible support during their rescue efforts. Our team are deeply shocked by what has happened." | "We're working with emergency services to offer all possible support during their rescue efforts. Our team are deeply shocked by what has happened." |
At the scene: Nafisa Sayani, BBC South East Today reporter | At the scene: Nafisa Sayani, BBC South East Today reporter |
On the day before Christmas, this high street should have been buzzing with shoppers getting their last-minute gifts. | On the day before Christmas, this high street should have been buzzing with shoppers getting their last-minute gifts. |
Instead, festive spirit has been replaced by a sombre atmosphere, as police, ambulance and fire crews investigate the crash. | Instead, festive spirit has been replaced by a sombre atmosphere, as police, ambulance and fire crews investigate the crash. |
The rear end of a black Audi pokes out from under a blue tarpaulin, almost completely lodged inside the coffee shop. | The rear end of a black Audi pokes out from under a blue tarpaulin, almost completely lodged inside the coffee shop. |
Police have said it appears the driver lost control further up the road before crashing through the window. | Police have said it appears the driver lost control further up the road before crashing through the window. |
For now, the road remains closed while police continue their investigation. | For now, the road remains closed while police continue their investigation. |
Everyone I have spoken to in the town is in disbelief. | Everyone I have spoken to in the town is in disbelief. |
It has become a Christmas Eve many of them would rather forget. | It has become a Christmas Eve many of them would rather forget. |