THESE dramatic images reveal the damage caused when a car smashed through the façade of Abbeywood Vets, Denton.
Emergency services were called to the incident after reports that the car, understood to be a Nissan 370 Z, crashed into the building after failing to make a right-hand turn.
Witnesses described the moment the driver “sped through the lights at McDonald’s” near the Crown Point Shopping Park before losing control of his vehicle.
Thankfully, no one was injured, and no other vehicles were involved. The driver is believed to have remained at the scene.
Incredibly, despite the damage, structural engineers declared the building safe, and Abbeywood Vets reopened hours after the incident.
Vet John Gunn, who lives above the practice, told of his “complete shock” at what unfolded below his home.
And he was critical of the actions of the driver, describing the incident as a “tragedy that might’ve been”.
He said: “I’ve had hundreds of messages of support from my clients and from people in the local community in the wake of this incident and I’m truly grateful to them.
“I’d also like to thank Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service for everything they did to make the building, my home, safe after it happened.
“But I’m keen to emphasise it’s not just about me. The danger this individual posed to pedestrians with his recklessness is incalculable.
“Were we not under lockdown conditions it’s very likely that the area would’ve been much busier on a Saturday afternoon. People could’ve been seriously hurt, or even killed, as a result.”
Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service attended the scene on Saturday afternoon.
A spokesman said: “At around 1pm on Saturday, firefighters were called to reports of a road traffic collision on Ashton Road, Denton.
“One fire engine from Ashton, alongside the technical response unit from Leigh, quickly attended the scene.
“It involved one car which had collided with one building. Firefighters made the scene safe using specialist equipment.”