Shock moment pensioner ploughs into bakery after accidentally hitting the accelerator instead of the brake
THIS is the terrifying moment a pensioner drives straight into a bakery after hitting the accelerator instead of the brake.
An elderly man pulled out of the Wash’N’Drive car wash in Bridport, Dorset, before ploughing through the side wall of a bakery.
Nikki Craven, 49, manager and owner at Rise Bakery, said the vehicle crashed into their alcohol storage room.
There were three members of staff in the bakery and a few customers at the time but thankfully no one was hurt.
Nikki revealed that a staff member had been restocking the store room less than 30 minutes before the black Honda automatic crashed into it.
She said: “It happened around midday and there were three staff and a few customers in the shop.
“I think the gentleman, who was probably in his 70s or his 80s, accidentally left the car in drive and when leaving the car wash he pressed the accelerator rather than the brake and went into the side of the shop at quite a speed.
“Less than half an hour before one of the staff was restocking the room but we’re just glad that no-one was hurt.
“He hit the shop at some speed and there was an enormous smash. There was a strong smell of alcohol that is still here.
“There was nothing suspicious about it and the man was definitely in a state to drive.
“It’s just a freak accident but one of those things that happens.
“There were hundreds of broken bottles and smashed glass everywhere – it was probably £10,000 worth of stock.
“We didn’t know the man before the incident and haven’t heard from his since.
Staff hope that the Little Booze Room, where the driver struck, will be open again in around a month.
They are currently waiting for insurers to assess damages before doing it back up again.
“We’re just very grateful for everyone who helped and especially for Fat Leaf for all their help in sorting things out and for getting the car out,” she added.
“We are going to rebuild the room and hope it can be open again in about a month.”
The damage to the building after the “freak accident” is valued at a whopping £10,000.
Stock of bottles of beer, wine and spirits was all destroyed in the smash.
On their Instagram page, Rise Bakery shared a response and said they were “not trying to name, blame or shame the driver in anyway”.
They said: “Accidents happen, a lot of booze has been spilt, but luckily everyone is whole.
“We’re just very grateful for everyone who helped and especially for Fat Leaf for all their help in sorting things out and for getting the car out.”
The driver, who is believed to be aged in his 70s, was taken to the hospital but did not suffer any serious injuries.
A spokesperson for Dorset Police told The Sun: “At 11.51am on Tuesday 6 May 2025, we received a report that a vehicle had collided with the Rise Bakery shop in East Road in Bridport.
“Officers attended with the ambulance and fire services.
“No injuries were reported. No arrests made. Recovery was arranged for the vehicle.
“Officers left the scene at around 1.30pm.”