One person suffers ‘life-changing’ injuries after car smashes into pedestrians outside Welsh pub

One person has suffered ‘life-changing’ injuries and five others have been hospitalised after a car smashed into pedestrians outside a Welsh pub when the driver suffered a ‘medical episode’.

At least five ambulance vehicles, an air ambulance and a fire engine attended the scene near the Windsor pub on Llantrisant Road in Pontyclun, Wales, this evening.

A 79-year-old man in a silver Ford Puma is believed to have suffered a medical episode before colliding with the venue and hitting a ‘number of pedestrians’, said South Wales Police. 

The force added that the driver is in a critical condition and one of the pedestrians suffered ‘life-changing’ injuries. 

Four others have also been taken to the University Hospital of Wales as a precaution, suffering from what are said to be minor injuries. 

A 79-year-old man in a silver Ford Puma is believed to have suffered a medical episode before colliding with the venue and hitting a ‘number of pedestrians’, said South Wales Police

The force added that the driver is in a critical condition and one of the pedestrians suffered ‘life-changing’ injuries (pictured: the scene outside the Windsor pub)

Four others have also been taken to the University Hospital of Wales as a precaution, suffering from what are said to be minor injuries

One eyewitness described the scene as ‘horrific’ and recalled people rushing to help with towels and pillows.

They told WalesOnline: ‘It was horrific. The pub had four or five tables outside the front and was busy with people having drinks in the nice weather. 

‘I walked through to the back beer garden to wait while someone ordered drinks and there was a massive crash.’

The eyewitness added: ‘The pub came alive and people were running around trying to help, looking for towels and pillows. It was carnage.’   

Chief Inspector James Ratti said: ‘Emergency services were called to this critical incident just before 8.30 this evening and were confronted with a scene which involved a number of casualties.

‘We worked alongside our colleagues in both the Ambulance and Fire Services to deal with the casualties as quickly and efficiently as possible.

‘This was a very distressing incident and we are very grateful to the members of the public who came to the aid of the injured people in the moments immediately after the collision.’

The Windsor pub posted to its Facebook page: ‘Everyone has been taken to hospital and the emergency services are on the case. Thank you all for your help.  

At least five ambulance vehicles, an air ambulance and a fire engine attended the scene near the Windsor pub on Llantrisant Road in Pontyclun, Wales, this evening

A ‘number of pedestrians’ were hit by a car during a ‘serious road traffic collision’, said South Wales Police

‘Thanks to all by standers who helped and all the emergency services.’ 

And Alex Davies-Jones, the Labour MP for Pontypridd, also wrote on Facebook: ‘I’ve been made aware of an ongoing incident outside The Windsor pub in Pontyclun.

‘If you are in the area please try and steer clear of the scene so that the emergency services can attend properly.

‘As always, my thoughts are with everyone impacted and as soon as I have more information I will post an update.’

In a statement, the force said: ‘Six people have been taken to the University Hospital of Wales this evening following a road traffic collision at The Windsor public house on Llantrisant Road in Pontyclun, Rhondda Cynon Taff. 

The Windsor pub (pictured above) posted to its Facebook page: ‘Everyone has been taken to hospital and the emergency services are on the case. Thank you all for your help’

‘A 79 year-old local man is believed to have suffered a medical episode which resulted in the car he was driving, a silver Ford Puma collided with the public house. 

‘A number of pedestrians were injured.

‘One of the pedestrians has suffered life-changing injuries and the driver of the car is in a critical condition. The other four have also been taken to hospital as a precaution, suffering from what are described as minor injuries.

‘An investigation into the collision has been launched by South Wales Police.’