A CAR smashed into Natwest Bank in Southend High Street yesterday lunchtime, narrowly missing passers-by and shoppers.

Witnesses believe the elderly woman who was driving may have accidentally pushed her foot on the accelerator, rather than the brake.

At about 1pm emergency services raced to help the pair, believed to be in their 70s, trapped in the silver Kia Picanto.

Two fire crews worked hard with paramedics to treat and safely free the pensioners. It took about 20 minutes to get them into an ambulance. 

Laila Bell Collins, who lives in Southend, said: “I was nearby and heard a really loud crash. I thought something had collapsed. 

“Then I saw the car crumpled. It had hit the far wall of the bank, near Mayhem nightclub.

“I saw an elderly couple sat in the front seats. They looked very shaken and both air bags had deployed. It seems the woman driving pressed the wrong pedal. People started to help and there were people talking to them making sure they were ok.

“I heard sirens so the emergency services got there very quickly. I hope the couple are OK.”

The elderly gentleman was treated for a head wound, while the woman was assessed but had no obvious injuries.

They were both taken to Southend Hospital in a stable condition for further treatment.

Samantha McClean, 39, of Southend, told how she tried to use first aid skills to help.

She said: “I went to see if I could help because I’m a trained first aider. 
“A man was already doing a fantastic job talking to the couple so I asked if he needed anything and he said dressings because the gentleman’s head was bleeding. I rushed into Superdrug and asked for some dressings but they refused.

“So I then asked for their first aid box but was told it only had plasters in which is illegal as it is. First aid boxes have to be properly stocked.

“It’s just disgusting. I am absolutely outraged that a multimillion pound company couldn’t spare some bandages to help an elderly couple.”

A spokesman for Natwest confirmed the bank’s branch remained open and that only minor damage was done to the building so service would not be affected.

A spokesman for Superdrug said: “A serious car accident happened outside our New Southend store today at around 1pm and a member of the public came into the store asking for assistance. 

"Our team quickly assessed the situation declaring professional medical assistance was required rather than a first aid kit, and radioed for an ambulance and first aider to attend the scene, both of which arrived shortly after.”