Runaway car crushes woman

The woman was sat on a bench

A 63-year-old woman suffered serious injuries when a runaway car ploughed into the bench she was sitting on.

The woman was crushed when the driverless car - which had been parked on a hill in Bath - rolled down on top of her.

Horrified witnesses looked on as the bench was reduced to a pile of splintered wood and metal, trapping the woman underneath.

Firefighters were called in to free her and she was taken to the city's Royal United Hospital suffering from spinal injuries.

Bench demolished

Avon and Somerset Police are now trying to find out how the accident happened.

Sergeant Timothy Allen said: "For some reason the car rolled down the hill with nobody in it, mounted the kerb and struck an elderly lady.

"She was either sat on or standing next to the seat, which was demolished by the car."

It happened just before 0900 BST as commuters were parking their cars in Royal Victoria Park.

The car hit another woman before running into the 63-year-old.

Anyone with information about the crash is asked to contact the police.