Customer injured as car crashes into barber shop

The man was waiting for a haircut at Sharp Style barbers when a Renault 21 ploughed into the shop and landed on his right leg - pinning it to the ground under the weight of the engine and brick rubble.

Another customer and the shop owner dived for cover at the last minute and avoided injury.

Two crews of firefighters fought to release the trapped man while paramedics gave him pain relief. They used airbags to lift the front of the car and the man was taken to the Conquest Hospital with his injuries.

Police are investigating how the car, which had travelled from Sackville Road under the railway bridge, ended up inside the shop. The driver, a middle-aged local man, was treated at the scene for cuts and bruises before being taken home by a neighbouring shop-keeper.

Police closed the eastbound carriageway of Buckhurst Place for two hours following the incident, which occurred at around 12.45pm.