Elderly driver hurt after Pyrcroft Road crash

Mar 8 2010 By Emma Heseltine

The Surrey Air Ambulance in Pyrcroft Road

A PENSIONER is in a critical condition after his car was in collision with a shop building in Chertsey on Saturday.

The 80-year-old driver is thought to have collapsed at the wheel as he pulled away from traffic lights in Pyrcroft Road, Chertsey, heading towards Addlestone just before 1pm.

His silver Vauxhall Astra crossed the road and mounted the pavement before colliding with several concrete posts and the corner of Liberty House, damaging the wall of the building and the window of the Subway restaurant at Phoenix Plaza.

The air ambulance was called and Pyrcroft Road was closed so that it could land in the street, while firefighters cut the driver free from his car.

Paramedics had to resuscitate him at the scene before he was taken by land ambulance to Frimley Park Hospital, where he remains in a critical condition. His name has not yet been released.

A customer in sandwich shop Subway at the time of the collision, said: "The whole building shook when the car hit it, but no one knew what had happened. Everyone left and went outside to see what it was and there was a car embedded in the side of the building.

"The emergency services got there really quickly, and the police closed the road so the air ambulance could land. People were standing around watching, and everyone was really worried about the man who was driving."

A spokesman for South East Coast Ambulance Service said: "Two ambulances and the air ambulance were called to the scene at about 12.50pm. We took a make aged in his 80s to Frimley Park Hospital, after he had collapsed at the wheel and a collision followed."

Anyone who witnessed the collision or who has more information should call Surrey Police collision investigation unit on 01483 639 922.