SIX people are hurt after a car ploughed into a crowd outside a pub in South Wales.
A 79-year-old man suffered a “medical episode” at the wheel before the crash near The Windsor in Pontyclun.
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One person has suffered life-changing injuries and the driver is in a critical condition, police said.
The other four have also been taken to hospital as a precaution, suffering from what are described as minor injuries.
A customer described the scene as “horrific” after the vehicle, silver Ford Puma, collided with people enjoying drinks in the warm weather.
They told WalesOnline: “I walked through to the back beer garden to wait while someone ordered drinks and there was a massive crash.
“It sounded like somebody had dropped a load of beer glasses.
“I walked into the pub and someone was on the phone to 999 and I could heard them saying they needed more than one ambulance.
“I went outside to see what was going on and it was just littered with people – there were several, maybe five, who looked badly injured. And many more who were sitting up with cuts.
“The pub came alive and people were running around trying to help, looking for towels and pillows. It was carnage.”
They added: “I’ve only seen stuff like that on the news. I thought it just can’t be happening.
“You couldn’t tell what car it was from the damage.”
‘CARNAGE’
Police had initially reported a lorry was involved in the smash.
Emergency crews rushed to the scene just before 8.30pm on Thursday night, saying it involved “a number of casualties”.
Chief Inspector James Ratti of South Wales Police said: “We worked alongside our colleagues in both the ambulance and fire services to deal with the casualties as quickly and efficiently as possible.
“This was a very distressing incident and we are very grateful to the members of the public who came to the aid of the injured people in the moments immediately after the collision.”
An investigation into the collision has now been launched, the force added.
The pub came alive and people were running around trying to help, looking for towels and pillows.
Witness
Pub manager Tia posted a message to the venue’s Facebook page saying “everyone” had been taken to hospital.
She also thanked bystanders and the emergency services for their help.
Pictures from the scene show several ambulances and fire engines and a police cordon is in place.
The A4222 Cowbridge Road remains closed in both directions between Clun Avenue and Llanharry Road, according to INRIX traffic monitoring system.
Leader of the Welsh Conservatives Andrew RT Davies said in a tweet: “Shocking news from Pontyclun this evening.
“Thank you to the efforts of the emergency services on the scene. My thoughts are with everyone involved.”
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Source: The Sun
