A man who was getting a haircut at a Gold Coast salon evacuated people and turned off the engine of a car after it crashed into the business, fearing it might explode. The incident occurred at Hair Studio Carrara in Pappas Way at about 11am AEST.
The driver, a 77-year-old Carrara woman, suffered minor injuries and was taken to Gold Coast Hospital. Three people inside the salon were also injured: a 55-year-old man and a 34-year-old woman were taken to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries, while a 19-year-old woman was treated at the scene.
Customer Peter Morris ran to the car and turned off the ignition, noting the woman's foot was still on the accelerator. He then helped evacuate people from the salon, some of whom were trapped behind debris. 'I just had to clear a lot of the debris, then get the ladies out, some of them were trapped behind the car and concerned it might catch fire,' he told Channel 10.
Terrified customers described the event as a miracle no one was killed. 'Oh my God, my life flashed before my eyes,' one woman said. Another added, 'It was really scary, awful, terrible, something you never believe would happen.'
Queensland Fire and Rescue Service firefighter Michael Evans said it was fortunate those involved only suffered slight injuries. The police Forensic Crash Unit is investigating what caused the woman to lose control of the vehicle.
