At a bustling Christmas market in Chipping Sodbury near Bristol, a tragic incident unfolded when a car crashed into a group of pedestrians. This heart-wrenching event not only affected the lives of those directly involved but also sent shockwaves through the community. The incident occurred at 11:58 GMT on Sunday, and the South Western Ambulance Service was quickly alerted. Five adults were among those hurt, in addition to two young children, including a baby. Avon and Somerset Police reported that a man in his 80s was maneuvering out of a parking space at a low speed when the collision took place. Despite the large emergency response, no one is currently described as having life-threatening or life-changing injuries.

Emergency Response and Resources

Five ambulances, an air ambulance, and several other resources were dispatched to the market town. Paramedics assessed seven pedestrians at the scene, including five adults and two children. The Christmas Sunday event, which began at 11:00 GMT and was scheduled to finish at 17:30 GMT, continued despite the injuries. The organisers, in a statement posted to Facebook, advised that the remainder of the High Street from Hobbs House Bakery down towards Broad Street and Horse Street remained open. They asked attendees not to take photos of the incident or speculate on social media to allow the emergency services to focus on helping those in need.

Witness Accounts

Esra Ward, running a pizza stall at the market, witnessed the entire event. "We were just chatting with customers in front of our van when suddenly we saw the car accelerate as it came out of its parking space and hit a couple of people. There was a mother with a baby in a pushchair right in front of the car. Apparently, at the back, it hit a few more people, a whole family. It was astonishing how quickly the ambulances and police and fire services arrived – within about five minutes," she recounted.Market stall holder Ady Jones also shared his experience. "There was a loud screech, and then there was a lot of shouting. It was clear that people had been injured. The stalls had to close for a while, but thankfully, no one was seriously hurt. The situation could have been much worse," he said.This tragic event serves as a reminder of the importance of safety and vigilance, especially during busy holiday seasons. The community is now coming together to support those affected and to ensure that such incidents do not occur again.