Car smashes into hospital as terrified patients say it sounded 'like a bomb'

06 December 2023 , 16:08

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A car crashed into the doors of Wrexham Maelor Hospital

A car has ploughed into the main entrance to a busy hospital, injuring at least one person.

Patients at Wrexham Maelor Hospital said it sounded "like a bomb" when the vehicle - a black Hyundai - careered into main entrance doors this afternoon. It is said an elderly woman accidentally drove into the hospital and she is now being assessed for injuries.

North Wales Police confirmed at least one person is being treated for injuries following the single-vehicle collision, reported to the force at around 1.50pm. A spokesman said: "Officers are currently in attendance and one person is being assessed for minor injuries. The front entrance to the hospital is currently cordoned off and the public are requested to avoid the immediate vicinity whilst emergency services deal with the incident."

A mother who was in the hospital's café with her daughter wrote on Facebook: "I was sat with my daughter in the café when it happened, sounded like a bomb going off when it went through." Another witness, who is a private hire driver, told North Wales Live : "An elderly lady unfortunately drove straight into the Wrexham Maelor main entrance.

"I'm a private hire driver and I was collecting customers. I jumped out and started phoning the fire brigade. I went in and she was opening her car door. So I was starting to help her get out.

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"Someone was saying to make sure the engine was turned off which she had. I just helped her get out of the building. There was some nurses waiting outside of the doors so I just passed her over. I got in my car and took my customers home."

The traffic website Inrix is reporting that there is slow traffic and queueing traffic due to the accident on the drop-off road at the Hospital entrance. It states: "A car has accidentally been driven into the doors."

Public are asked to avoid the immediate vicinity of Wrexham Maelor Hospital, which is in the west of the Welsh city, or use alternative entrances to the main building if they require access. A cordon is around the scene of the crash.

North Wales Fire and Rescue Service confirmed one crew is at the hospital, responding to an "ongoing incident". The fire service was alerted to the incident at 1.51pm.

David Powell