Four hurt as car ploughs through nightclub crowd
FOUR people were hurt, two seriously, after a car ploughed into a crowd outside a nightclub early yesterday.
The drama unfolded after the vehicle hit a pedestrian while trying to get through the busy road.
The manager of the club in Newport, Gwent, Iftekhar Haris, said the crowd “almost turned into a mob” and attempted to stop the vehicle – believed to be a blue Ford C-Max – from leaving the scene.
Mr Haris said: “Then the car actually went across on to the pavement and hit two girls, two innocent girls, who were just sat there at the end of the night.”
Mr Haris claimed that when the crowd tried to block the vehicle, the car reversed and hit a person for a second time.
He said: “It was horrific. It’s something that you don’t want to see on any street.”
Gwent Police lateer found the vehicle ablaze on Magor Street in Newport.
Motionless
An 18-year-old has been arrested on suspicion of causing injury by dangerous driving.
It is believed the car collided with four revellers, one man and three women.
A police spokesman said: “All of those injured were taken to hospital for treatment.
“Their conditions are currently being assessed but it’s believed that two of the girls have received potentially life-changing injuries.”
Graphic footage of the incident appeared on social media, showing the moment the car ploughed through the crowd outside The Courtyard nightclub.
Revellers could be seen screaming and jumping back as the car attempted to leave the scene.
In the graphic clip, the vehicle could be seen hitting one person, leaving the victim lying motionless on the ground.
The horrific around 5.30am incident occurred after police had cordoned off parts of the city centre for a marathon and 10K race.
Superintendent Glyn Fernquest said: “This is a shocking incident for everyone involved.
“Specialist officers are currently investigating and are appealing for information in relation to identifying the driver of this vehicle. I’d like to just reassure the public that this incident is not believed to be terror-related and has no links to the Newport marathon.”
A spokeswoman for Gwent Police later added: “Following the incident this morning on Cambrian Road in Newport involving a car and four pedestrians, an 18-year-old man from the Newport area has been arrested on suspicion of causing injury by dangerous driving.
“Investigations are ongoing and we’d like to thank everyone for their comments and shares.”