Shocked owner speaks out after car crashes into Oshens Hair Boutique in Wye
Published: 00:01, 16 December 2017
A shocked salon owner says it was a miracle no one was killed when an Audi mounted the pavement and ploughed into her shop.
About 10 people – including three young children – were inside when the car crashed into Oshens Hair Boutique in Bridge Street, Wye.
Police, firefighters and paramedics were called just before 3pm last Saturday.
Owner Jenny Taylor had to close her business for a number of days, but it reopened on Thursday.
She said: “It was amazing that the car avoided everyone and they did not get obliterated.
“One young girl, only about 12 years old, was having her hair cut and as she looked in the mirror she saw the car coming across the road and into the salon.
“The girl was hysterical and shaking – it was very scary.”
Ms Taylor, who lives in Chilham, says the driver of the Audi was trying to park her car opposite the salon.
The driver appeared to put her foot on the accelerator instead of the brake and came straight at the shop.
“We have an armchair in the window and if someone was sitting in that chair they would not be here now as it was thrown across the salon.
“Fortunately my desk is solid oak, so that helped stop the car going any further.”
Ms Taylor, whose business has been based in Wye for two-and-half years, thanked contractors from the Heartwood Custom Joinery and Construction firm for helping to fix her salon.
She said: “Jonathan Grogan and Gideon Judge were amazing and came straight away to help out.
"I have no idea how much it will cost to repair, but it will be in the thousands.
“I would like to say a huge thank-you to everyone for helping – everyone has been amazing.”
Police spokesman Steve Knight said the driver of the car was not arrested but the DVLA has been informed of the incident.
He said: “The driver was taken to hospital as a precaution.
“The road was closed to allow recovery of the vehicle and to make the building safe. It was reopened at 8.35pm.”
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Dan Wright