Pontyclun crash: Six in hospital after car hits people outside pub

 Six people have been taken to hospital after being struck in a serious crash as a car hit a pub in south Wales.

A pedestrian has suffered life-changing injuries after the collision outside The Windsor Hotel in Pontyclun, Rhondda Cynon Taf, on Thursday evening.

South Wales Police said a 79-year-old man was believed to have suffered a "medical episode" before his silver Ford Puma hit the people and the pub.

Officers said the driver of the car was in a critical condition in hospital.Four other people were also taken to University Hospital of Wales in Cardiff as a precaution with minor injuries.

Police have launched an investigation into the cause of the "very distressing incident" on Llantrisant Road, about 15 miles north-west of Cardiff.

'I could see people lying on the floor'

image captionKaitlin Moore said she felt like she'd had a lucky escape after the car hit the spot where she usually waits for a lift

Kaitlin Moore, a hairdresser at Charizma salon in Pontyclun, said she saw the crash.

"I was outside the salon waiting for a lift home when I heard a lot of glass smashing and I could see that a car had gone into the benches outside The Windsor pub," she said.

"It was very chaotic, it happened so quick, I think everyone was in shock.

"I could see people lying on the floor. People upstairs in the pub were throwing blankets and pillows down to them.

"I normally stand near the Windsor waiting for a lift home from work, it just happened I was waiting by the hairdresser's last night. I feel like I've had a lucky escape."

image captionCharles Morris was driving past the pub on Thursday when he saw people lying on the floor covered in blankets

Charles Morris said seeing people lying on the ground, covered in blankets as he drove past the pub on Thursday night was "quite traumatic".

"I could see complete chaos around the pub," the 60-year-old said.

"It was packed, every table was full.

"One table was smashed and I guess that's the one the car went into, and there were people screaming," he said.

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image captionA silver Ford Puma crashed into The Windsor Hotel on Thursday evening

At least five ambulances, several police cars and four fire service vehicles attended the incident which happened just before 20:30 BST on Thursday.

The road was shut in both directions overnight, but has since reopened.

image captionThere is minor damage outside the Windsor Hotel

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image captionAt least five ambulances were sent to the Windsor Hotel

Ch Insp James Ratti of South Wales Police said: "Emergency services were confronted with a scene which involved a number of casualties.

"We worked alongside our colleagues in both the ambulance and fire services to deal with the casualties as quickly and efficiently as possible.

"This was a very distressing incident and we are very grateful to the members of the public who came to the aid of the injured people in the moments immediately after the collision