Car crashes into aisles of Ballina Coles in northern NSW

Two people have been hospitalised after a car crashed all the way into a North Coast supermarket. Police are now trying to piece together what happened when the elderly female driver‘s car ploughed into the store.

A car has ploughed into the front of Ballina Coles. Picture: Facebook

Two people have been hospitalised after a car crashed all the way into a North Coast supermarket. Police are now trying to piece together what happened when the elderly female driver‘s car ploughed into the store.

Astonishing photos posted to social media show a badly damaged silver Toyota hatchback which has travelled so far through the front of Coles Ballina it is parked up next to the aisles.

Emergency services rushed to the scene just after 12.30pm on Tuesday, with a NSW Ambulance spokesman confirming four people were assessed at the scene.

Richmond Police District officers were told a Toyota Corolla had crashed into the supermarket and allegedly struck a woman.

The car inside the supermarket. Picture: Facebook

The store entrance has been wrapped in police tape.

NSW Ambulance paramedics rendered assistance to the woman in her 30s before she was taken to hospital with what is understood to be minor injuries.

The driver of the car, a woman aged in her 70s, was also hospitalised for the treatment of shock and injuries believed to be minor.

Her male passenger did not report any injuries to police.

NSW Ambulance confirmed one patient was taken to Ballina District Hospital and the other to Lismore Base Hospital.

NSW Police have urged anyone who witnessed the incident to contact Crime Stoppers.

Fire and Rescue NSW had earlier confirmed crews were on scene performing a rescue and assessing the property.

NSW Police’s Crash Investigation Unit also attended to comb through the wreckage for clues about how the bizarre incident occurred.

Broken glass is strewn outside the Ballina Coles after a car ploughed through the storefront on September 19 2023. Picture: Gianni Francis

A Coles spokeswoman said the safety of customers and team members was their highest priority.

“Our thoughts are with our customers who were involved in Tuesday’s events and we are working closely with emergency services who are investigating the incident,” the spokeswoman said.

“We extend our appreciation to emergency services for their response and ensuring our customers received prompt medical attention and care.”

Coles is also providing counselling and support to team members who witnessed the incident.