Lidl crash which killed man 'sounded like a bomb'

A woman who witnessed a car crashing through the entrance of a Lidl store in Wolverhampton which left a man dead, said it sounded "like a massive bomb" going off.

The man, in his 30s, was pronounced dead at the scene after the crash, which West Midlands Ambulance Service were called to just before 18:00 BST on Friday.

The service said the woman, in her 70s, who was driving the car is believed to have had a medical incident at the wheel. She was treated at the scene before being taken to hospital for further treatment and has since been released.

"It was a massive panic. It was a horrible experience, chaotic, scary, painful," said onlooker Tina Bonev.

"It was so quick, you can't process the speed of what has happened," she told the BBC.

She said she saw people carrying a woman who was unconscious and witnessed a body on the ground.

"Someone was shouting: 'Bleeding, someone is bleeding'," she said.

"Children were screaming... I was looking for where I can exit.

"All of the aisles were blocked by the car."

Bonev left the shop shortly after the incident, and said people were still trying to get inside.

"I stopped multiple people getting into the shop - they were still thinking they could do shopping," she said.

She described glass and broken metal strewn around, as well as "people in pain, screaming, children crying."

She added that the car had landed on top of the self-service tills after having "flown in" to the shop, estimating it had been travelling more than 40mph.

"It was like a bullet," she said.

"It's a horrible experience, which is going to leave a major effect on me. I'm very glad I'm still alive today."

In a statement, Lidl said it was saddened by the incident and said the store would remain closed until further notice.

"Our hearts go out to the man's family and loved ones, and all involved in this tragic accident," it said.

"We are doing everything we can to support our store team and assist West Midlands Police with their ongoing investigation."

Six other patients were were treated by paramedics, including a woman who was inside the building in a serious condition, and a man, also inside the building, who sustained injuries.

Four further patients were treated and discharged at the scene.

Police confirmed on Saturday afternoon that two people remain in hospital with serious injuries.

West Midlands Police said the man's death was not being treated as suspicious.

The force has issued an appeal for anyone who was driving around Finchfield Hill between 17:00 and 18:00 BST to get in touch with police.

Sgt Chloe Collins said: "We want to understand what might have caused the collision, and would especially like to see any dashcam footage which might show the car involved.

"If you remember seeing a blue Renault Zoe immediately before the collision, please do get in touch."

Specially-trained officers have been supporting the family of the man who died, police added.

Videos supplied to the BBC by eyewitnesses showed shoppers standing just metres from where the car had crashed into the store. Debris from the car and items from the shelves were strewn across the shop floor as an alarm sounded and a man shouted: "Everyone get out the store."

A woman could be heard asking: "Can anybody do first aid?"

Road closures on Finchfield Road West, Oak Hill and Finchfield Hill were lifted on Saturday morning, said the City of Wolverhampton Council.

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