NewsBeat
Woman suffers leg injuries as car crashes into Unity Health
Police confirmed that they were called at about 10.50am today, Monday 2 February, to reports that a car had hit a building on Kimberlow Rise in York.
Patients were also swiftly evacuated from the surgery.
A police spokesman said: “The passenger in the car, a woman in her 90s, was taken to hospital with suspected serious leg injuries. The driver, a man in his 80s, was uninjured.
“The building was evacuated and a referral made to the council for a structural assessment. No-one inside the building was injured.”
Emergency vehicles arrived at the scene within minutes of the incident.
A spokesman for North Yorkshire Fire & Rescue said crews were called just before 11am to reports that a car had hit the building.
The scene after a car crashed into the Unity Health Kimberlow Hill Surgery on Monday, February 2. Photo: Kevin Glenton
“On their arrival the two occupants were out of the vehicle. They were left in the care of ambulance crews.
“Crews moved the vehicle to a parking space. They also advised the responsible person for the building to arrange for an engineer to attend to check the building structure.”
Lou Johnston, managing partner at the surgery, was on site at the time and said she first heard a loud bang and then the alarms sounded.
Following the impact which left the car embedded in the wall, staff responded in line with their training, evacuating the building and ensuring patients were taken to safety.
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Nobody was in the consulting room closest to the damaged part of the building at the time of the crash, Lou added.
Firefighters placed a cordon around the damaged section of wall and the area of the surgery will not be used until repairs have been carried out.
The Unity Health surgery remained open to patients.
A statement from Unity Health said: “We would like to reassure patients that following a serious incident earlier today, when a vehicle collided with part of the surgery building, that the situation has been made safe.
“Emergency services attended promptly and we are grateful for their swift response.
“Our thoughts are with those affected by the incident, and we wish them a full and speedy recovery.
“The surgery remains open and services are continuing as normal.
“Any patients whose appointments are affected will be contacted directly.”
Emily Hammond, a sales assistant at neighbouring Indigo Sun tanning salon, told The Press she heard a loud bang and, within seconds, staff from Unity Health had rushed out to go to the aid of the couple in the car.
She said the male driver got out, while the woman remained in her seat as she was checked over.
Emily said the emergency services arrived in minutes and the woman was taken away in an ambulance within 20 to 30 minutes of the crash.