A WOMAN in her 90s was behind the wheel of a car which crashed backwards through a shop window in Christchurch.

A female pedestrian was injured in the terrifying incident, which took place in Christchurch High Street just after 1.30pm yesterday.

The injured woman has been discharged from hospital after treatment for her injuries. The driver was also checked over in hospital as a precaution but has been allowed to go home.

Eight police cars, four ambulance vehicles and two fire engines rushed to Christchurch after the Ford Fiesta smashed through the front window of Mountain Warehouse.

The road was closed to allow access to the scene for emergency vehicles and reopened just before 5pm after the car was recovered from the scene.

Witnesses said the vehicle started off on the other side of the road but sped backwards across the road, forcing people to leap to safety.

Big Issue seller Mark Morgan said: “I heard a screeching of tyres, followed by an enormous bang. An elderly lady on the pavement was hit by the car and was taken away by ambulance.

“The driver of the car looked shocked when she got out of the car. It’s a real shame for both of them but it’s also scary that something like this can happen so quickly.”

Witness Stefan Clark said he too heard tyres screeching and added: “It’s just lucky that no one was standing in front of the shop or they would have been killed.

“I was in a nearby shop and the first I knew of it was an enormous bang.”

A spokesman for Dorset Police thanked motorists and pedestrians for their patience as inquiries continue.