Mayhem as SUV smashes into a Muslim hijab shop injuring 12 people in western Sydney – with video showing smoke billowing from car before it crosses intersection and crashes into store
- A Subaru crashed into Hijab House in Greenacre at about 3.10pm Thursday, injuring 12 people including driver
- The car had previously crashed into another vehicle stopped at the intersection and forced it out of the way
- Thick smoke billowed from the front of the Subaru while stopped at a red light moments before the crash
- The Subaru then appeared to accelerate into shop’s glass window, injuring 11 other people shopping inside
- Police arrested at 51-year-old driver and took him to hospital to undergo further testing. No charges were laid
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Twelve people have been injured after a smoking van smashed into an Islamic clothing shop in Sydney’s southwest.
A Subaru SUV slammed into Hijab House on Waterloo Road and Juno Parade in Greenacre just after 3pm on Thursday.
Police said the car had previously crashed into another vehicle stopped at the traffic lights, before driving into the store.
Most of the victims are believed to be women aged between 18 and 30 and were in the store shopping at the time of the crash.
A 51-year-old man was arrested at the scene and taken to hospital, where he will undergo tests to check whether he was under the influence of any substances at the time of the crash, Deputy Commissioner Peter Thurtell said on Thursday night.
No charges have been laid.
Video taken by a bystander showed thick smoke billow from the front of the Subaru while stopped at a red light.
Twelve people have been injured after a van driver smashed into a shop in Sydney’s southwest
In footage of the incident, the driver of the SUV ploughed into another, smaller car, before driving directly into the shopfront
A Subaru SUV slammed into Hijab House on Waterloo Road and Juno Parade in Greenacre just after 3pm on Thursday
The Subaru then appeared to accelerate across the crowded intersection before ploughing into the shop’s glass windows.
The male driver was trapped in the car and had to be freed by emergency crews, while 11 pedestrians were injured.
‘The male driver and 11 pedestrians have been injured. They are currently being treated at the scene; however, their injuries are not believed to be life-threatening,’ police said in a statement.
Dozens of paramedics, firefighters, police, nine ambulances and a specialist medical team remain on the scene.
Two people have been taken to Liverpool Hospital and up to seven others are being treated for leg injuries at the scene.
NSW Police said there is no indication the crash was terror related.
Deputy Commissioner Peter Thurtell on Tuesday said there doesn’t appear to be any link between the driver of the SUV or the driver of the other car.
Dozens of paramedics, firefighters, police, more than nine ambulances and a specialist medical team remain on the scene
Ambulance NSW said 12 people have been injured – including the driver of the SUV
Smoke billowed from the SUV before it careered across the intersection and into the shop front
John Makhlouf, who owns a nearby petrol station, said he saw a car career through the intersection and into the shop.
‘I saw a lot of smoke and heard a beeping horn. One car got pushed out of the way and the other car went straight into the shop and crashed and you could hear the horn constantly beeping,’ he told the ABC.
‘It’s very lucky there was no one standing on the corner or crossing at the lights because they would have been hit.’
A worker at the Al Aseel restaurant next door said ‘police and ambulances were everywhere’.
Another woman suggested the store would have been busier than usual as women stocked up on outfits to celebrate the end of Ramadan.
Victims were instructed to sit on the sidewalk and were provided blankets as emergency services conducted an investigation
Footage of the shock incident was shared online
Emergency services rushed to the scene and rescued 12 people – most of whom had minor injuries
‘There are police and ambulances everywhere. We couldn’t understand anything that was going on when it happened, it drove right through the shop,’ he told The Guardian.
Police have blocked off Boronia Road between Waterloo Rd and Noble Ave, while Waterloo Road is closed northbound.
Drivers are being advised to avoid the area.
NSW Police are asking for witnesses or anyone with CCTV to contact them.
More to come.
Paramedics, nine ambulances and a specialist medical team remain on the scene
Two people have been taken to Liverpool Hospital and up to seven others are being treated for leg injuries at the scene