'Drunk' man ploughs his Rolls-Royce into Tesco store just minutes after staff refuse to sell him alcohol

By Daily Mail Reporter
Last updated at 1:36 AM on 21st May 2009

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A man drove a Rolls-Royce through the front window of a Tesco superstore yesterday after staff refused to sell him alcohol.

Six women shoppers were injured as the car shattered the glass, demolished two checkouts and sent shelves crashing down.

A 50-year-old man was last night arrested at the scene on suspicion of attempted murder and drink-driving.

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Narrow escape: A Tesco store in Andover, Hants, had to be evacuated after an allegedly drunk 50-year-old man drove his Rolls-Royce through the shop window

Staff and customers claimed the driver - who is thought to run a firm of chauffeurs - had tried to buy alcohol in the store but was turned away because he was drunk.

Moments later, after returning to the car park, he tried to drive the car through a store window.

He failed first time, but then reversed and picked up higher speed before crashing through the front of the shop.

Devastation: The Rolls-Royce sits in the superstore after it was driven through the window. Shoppers and staff fled for their lives

A 50-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder and drink-driving after crashing a Rolls-Royce into the supermarket

Shoppers, including parents and children, ran for cover at the scene in Andover, Hampshire, just after 4.30pm.

The force of the impact pushed two checkouts 10ft into a sweet aisle.

An air ambulance, six ambulances and three fire engines were scrambled.

The six victims were taken to hospital and the store was evacuated. The injured are thought to include a pregnant woman.

Customer Patrick Ford, 49, said: 'I heard a huge crash and shattering glass and the shelving started collapsing around me. It was like a tidal wave of shelving coming towards me and then I saw that a car had come through the window.'

A Tesco worker, who did not want to be named, said she thought a bomb had gone off when the crash happened.

She said: 'People were running for their lives, scattering in all directions. Everyone was screaming. It was terrifying. Checkout girls were shocked and crying.'

It is thought the man sat in his car until police arrived. Paramedics gave him oxygen at the scene. The injured women were treated for cuts, bruises and shock.

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