A driver who allegedly mounted a pavement and smashed into Christmas shoppers has been arrested in his hospital bed.
The 40-year-old, who is in a serious but stable condition, was arrested following the crash that left four women – two 67-year-olds, a 32-year-old and a 26-year-old – in hospital.
A black BMW hatchback was traveling north down Pulteney Street in Adelaide and was turning into Rundle Street when it slammed into a light pole and the pedestrians, who were waiting to cross the road near a Target store.
The man, who according to The Advertiser was only recently released from prison, is set to be charged with causing serious harm by dangerous driving.
Police are not treating the incident as terrorism and do not think the crash was deliberate.
Five people were rushed to hospital after a car slammed into a light pole in Adelaide’s CBD
A black BMW hatchback was traveling north down Pulteney Street in Adelaide and was turning into Rundle Street when it slammed into a light pole
Rowen Osborne, 15, described a horrific scene moments after the smash.
‘A woman was screaming “help me, please come and help me”,’ she said.
‘Another woman was flung into the gutter and lay there motionless.
‘It was terrifying, it was random and out of nowhere. It was horrific.’
One of the elderly women, from Dulwich, is in a stable condition at Royal Adelaide Hospital, as another from Heathpool is in the Flinders Medical Centre in a stable condition with leg injuries.
The 32-year-old from West Croydon is also in Royal Adelaide with leg injuries, while the 26-year-old woman, from North Adelaide, is in the Flinders Medical Centre with minor injuries.
Five people have been rushed to hospital after a car slammed into a light pole in Adelaide’s CBD
There were scenes of chaos in the CBD as witnesses recalled hearing the screams from the elderly woman after she was hit
The driver of a black hatchback was taken to Royal Adelaide hospital in serious but stable condition
Emergency crews were called to the intersection at the corner of Rundle and Pulteney Streets just after 4pm
Witnesses recalled hearing the screams from the elderly woman after she was hit.
‘(There was) a loud band and smoke coming out of the bonnet and everyone rushed to help,’ a witness told Seven News.
‘There was screams from a woman just screaming, ‘help me, someone please come and help me’,’ she said.
Another witness said she saw people trapped inside the car as well.
‘There was another lady on the ground, and another guy. Not good,’ she said.
The incident is not being treated as a deliberate act, South Australia Police said
All access to the area was blocked, with traffic between North Terrace, Grenfell Street and Bent Street diverted by police
The scene was cordoned off with police tape and Major Crash Investigators attending
Police are appealing for witnesses to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or online at www.crimestopperssa.com.au
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