A discount retailer that saw a BMW smash through the front reopened a day later.
On Thursday, March 19, police officers responded to calls from Spitfire Retail Park after a reversing BMW destroyed the entrance of the budget-friendly retailer.
Photos from the scene show extensive damage done to the branch’s front, with glass and metal scattered around the opening following the impact and the car lodged within the shop.
On Friday, police revealed that an 84-year-old man was behind of the wheel of the reversing BMW, adding that he was not injured in the incident. No arrests have been made.
The force also confirmed that a member of the public, who was inside the store at the time, was taken to Trowbridge Community Hospital because it was believed that they had suffered minor head injuries.
The Friday also saw the retailer open to public once again, less than 24-hours after the incident, with a staff member at the site crediting the team for their hard work in turning the store around so quickly. He added that they are still waiting for the shopfront to be replaced, as of writing.
Speaking to this paper in the hours after the incident, Trowbridge resident and shopper Sue Tilley said she was shaken up but not injured after the reversing vehicle missed her by a few feet.
She said: “It frightened the life out of me. I’ve never heard anything like to. It was like a jet engine revving up. It was horrendous.
“Where I was, picking some kitchen rolls off the shelf, and I normally go on further down the aisle, which was where the car came through.
“As I leant forward, I heard this car revving, and it got louder and louder and louder, and next minute it was in the shop.
“I still had hold of the trolley and I just screamed because I thought it was a ramraid.”
“I did hang around a bit as I was a witness there. I think there was about six of us who gave our names and details to a couple of policeman," she said.
“A lot of people didn’t know what happened. They just heard a bang.
“At least I’m alright. I said I realise how lucky I am, because I was that close to it.”
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