UPDATED: Man in hospital after car drives through Cobbles Cafe, Birstall
CAFE SMASH A car has crashed into Cobbles Cafe.
Birstall market place has reopened after an elderly driver crashed through the window of a cafe and hit a main gas pipe.
An 88-year-old man drove his Skoda into Cobbles Cafe and was taken to hospital following the accident.
A witness said he was trying to park outside the cafe when he appeared to lose control.
The incident, which happened around 11am today (Tuesday), caused roads into the village centre to be closed.
Nearby shops and businesses were evacuated after the car hit a main gas pipe.
Emergency services at the scene carried out checks to ensure the gas supply had been turned off.
PC David Robson said the driver had been taken to hospital to be checked over.
Cafe owner David Krolak said: “I’m in complete shock.
“I had my back to the window and heard a huge bang.
“You could smell gas right away so we got the customers out the back door.
“There were around seven people in the cafe but luckily no-one was near the window.”
Staff at the nearby Local Properties office were moved into their back office by police for safety.
The vehicle was towed from the shop front and Police reopened Birstall market place around 1.30pm.
A police spokesman said: “At 10:59 a car was in collision with a shop in Market Place in Batley.
“The 88-year-old driver of the car, a man, was no injured.
“No-one was injured in the shop. Neighbouring premises were evacuated while Transco checked for a gas leak.”
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Weather for Dewsbury
Friday 24 May 2013
Today
Light showers
Temperature: 5 C to 10 C
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