A COUPLE have been forced to move out of their flat after a car crashed through their lounge at the weekend.

Edward Askham-Spencer and Svenja Schmeckthal were alerted by a friend after a Vauxhall Mokka crashed into the property at the junction between South Street and St John's Street, in Hythe.

Police, fire crews and paramedics attended the scene of the crash, which took place around 12.30pm on Saturday December 7.

Svenja, 31, said: "At the moment we can't stay in the flat, as the wall has been heavily pushed inside the building.

"We don't know where we are going to live in the future, but we are staying at our friend’s home now."

Mary Porter, who lives next door, said: "All I heard was an almighty crash and I thought the crane over the road had fallen down.

"I came out to see the car had mounted the pavement and he was directly facing the wall.

"The man in the car appeared to be alright, but he was trapped in there so the fire brigade came.

"It did shock me, because I did not expect something like this to happen; it makes you feel vulnerable here, because people drive fast down this road."

Edward, who is a full-time magician, said: "Svenja and I were at a charity gig doing magic when I got a phone call and a picture from a friend saying this accident had happened, so we came home quickly.

"It is something that cannot be changed and it is unfortunate it has happened.

"I am glad the driver is okay and he has been taken to hospital; we were told he could have had a seizure."

The 33-year-old added: "We have rented this place since February, because we have got friends around the corner.

"It is also near the ferry and the pier where we perform magic shows."

A spokesperson for Hampshire Constabulary said: "We were called at 12.26pm.

"The incident involved a single vehicle into a building.

"The driver was taken to Southampton General Hospital, but did not appear to be seriously injured."