‘Confused’ man drives car into shop
A BLACKMANS Bay newsagent got the shock of his life yesterday when an “old confused fellow” drove through his shopfront, causing the store’s glass frontage to explode in a “big bang”.
Blackmans Bay News and Post owner Alistair Chambers said he was standing toward the back of his store about 11.30am when an “old confused fellow” drove his blue Hyundai hatch at “full revs” into the store – shattering glass and damaging fittings and stock.
Mr Chambers said the entire car ended up in his shop as the revving continued, the vehicle only fortunately blocked by a now-destroyed magazine rack.
Mr Chambers, another staff member and a customer – who were standing toward the rear of the store – were uninjured.
But the newsagent, who has owned the store for three years, said it was lucky no one was seriously harmed as the motorist accelerated several metres over a parking block to his shop.
“If anyone had been standing there they would be dead, right now,” Mr Chambers said.
He said he didn’t know the value of the damage – but noted much of the store’s fittings and stock were destroyed. Plush toys, magazines and racks, gifts, cards and gadgets could be seen strewn all over the floor and covered in shattered glass fragments.
A burnout tyre mark was visible on the shop’s carpet.
“There’s a lot of stock damage, magazine rack damage – everything that’s been touched by glass has got to be thrown out,” Mr Chambers said as he waited on the phone to his insurers.
Emergency services attended the scene.
Police said the driver, whose car was towed away, did not appear to be seriously injured. It was unclear if he would face any charges.