Victor Harbor hospital workers reveal narrow escape when runaway 4WD smashed through wall

If a morning meeting had run just minutes longer, several Victor Harbor hospital workers would have been killed or seriously injured in Wednesday’s shocking 4WD crash.

Three Victor Harbor hospital workers have narrowly escaped death or serious injury after a 4WD ploughed through an office wall and into a meeting table they were seated at just minutes earlier, The Advertiser can reveal.

It’s understood the workers were seated for a meeting just five minutes before the high-impact accident, which rammed their table through another wall and into the adjoining office.

Photos from the chaotic aftermath of the incident show the office in disarray and a circular hole where the meeting table was smashed through the adjoining wall after being hit by the out-of-control 4WD.

The aftermath of the 4WD that went through a wall at the South Coast District hospital at Victor Harbor. Picture: Supplied

The rubble and wreckage left after the crash. Picture: Keryn Stevens

Police were called to Bay Rd, Victor Harbor after reports a Holden Jackaroo collided with a Tesla before crashing into the side of the hospital just after 9am on Wednesday.

Two office areas were affected by the crash, with the hospital’s recovery area, theatre and Ward A hit by dust and smoke.

Repairs to the hospital will continue on Thursday, with most hospital services expected to resume.

In dashcam footage obtained by 7NEWS, the Holden could be seen crashing into the Tesla then veering off the road, before it slammed into the hospital’s office.

The 61-year-old male driver from Encounter Bay, was assessed by hospital staff at the scene.

He was among four people treated for minor injuries on site, including a staff member, passenger and first responder, who was also treated for smoke inhalation.

The 4WD smashed through the wall, and into a nurse’s station. Picture: Supplied

In a statement to The Advertiser, Barossa Hills Fleurieu Local Health Network chief executive officer Bronwyn Masters said most of the hospital’s operations had returned to normal on Thursday.

“Some patients may still be affected and they will be contacted by hospital staff to make alternative arrangements,” Ms Masters said.

“Three patients who had minor injuries this morning have been discharged while the driver of the Holden has been transferred to Flinders Medical Centre for further treatment.”

Ms Masters said support was being provided to staff, while police investigate the incident.

“Staff have done a magnificent job of cleaning up following the crash this morning and continuing to care for patients,” she said.

Naomi Hames, whose mum Anne Hames was a patient at the hospital, said she got the shock of her life when she received a call from her mum from inside the hospital to say she was “being pulled from the rubble”.

Ms Hames told The Advertiser it was “extremely lucky” the car did not hit a patient or any staff as the car penetrated through the exterior wall and deep into the building.

(The car) went straight through the nurses’ station and straight through mum’s wall – they pulled her bed out of the rubble, they pulled her out of the rubble,” she said.

“There was dust everywhere, she’s a huge asthmatic so they were trying to cover her as she has massive breathing problems – it sure was interesting this morning.”