TOYOTA CAMRY: I think there was some fault in the car — whether the throttle stuck or something.

Four injured as car crashes into Dancespace383 studio in Wollongong

• by:Ben McClellan and Jim O’Rourke
• From: The Daily Telegraph
• September 02, 2014

 

 

The Toyota ended up smashing through a brick wall in Wollongong. Picture by: Simon Bullard

 

 

 

Paramedics feared toddler had suffered fractured skull

Mother sent flying through air as car came in

Car driven by ex-dancing champion Ray Reeves, 83

A FORMER international ballroom dancing champion was behind the wheel of a car which ploughed into the dance school he founded, just moments after a playgroup had ended on Tuesday.

An 18-month-old girl with suspected skull fractures and her mother, with a suspected broken leg, were taken to hospital but cleared of serious injury following the crash at Dancespace383 in Wollongong about 11am.

The car crashed through the glass doors at the front of the dance studio before turning 90 degrees and crashing into the brick wall. Picture: Simon Bullard

A car crashed into a dance studio in Wollongong this morning where a group of mothers were holding a playgroup with two mothers and their children hit. Picture: Simon BullardSource: Supplied

Ray Reeves, 83, was in his Toyota Camry in the carpark when it accelerated and crashed through the front window, veered left and smashed through a brick wall.

Mr Reeves, who had been picking up his wife and former fellow dancing champion Margaret, was in shock but not injured and was taken to hospital for testing.

Another woman and a two-year-old child sustained minor injuries.

Witnesses said minutes earlier about a dozen children at the “dance and create” playgroup had been seated on a mat in the car's path.




Tom Law, who was standing outside with his grandson Tom, 4, said: “It was just a blur, it was going across the floor when it struck the lady. I think there was some fault in the car — whether the throttle stuck or something.

Studio owner Alan Shingler comforts an employee outside the dance studio. Picture: Simon Bullard

 

 

 

 

“Had it happened earlier the kids were sitting right where the car went through.”
Andrew Hales and his son Jack, 4, were also outside.

“The car reversed and has then gone straight through and hit the lady inside and then come through the wall,” Mr Hales said.

“There was lots of screeching as the car went forward and crashed through the window. It was still going when it went through the wall.”

Alan Shingler, who now runs the dance studio with his wife Donna, said he was relieved “everyone is OK”.

Skid marks from the car that crashed into a dance studio in Wollongong. Picture: Simon BullardSource: Supplied

The Shinglers, both also renowned ballroom dancers, took over the studio from Mr and Mrs Reeves and recently updated the building. The Reeves started the Reeve Dance Academy in 1953.



Police Chief Inspector Ken McDonald said the Camry was heard revving loudly before the crash.

One of the victims is taken to hospital. Picture: DiimexSource: Supplied

“It is very fortunate it was not a lot worse than what it was, there were about 10 children and an equal amount of adults (who) could have been hit by this motor vehicle had it been a bit earlier,’’ he said.

“Fortunately it also wasn’t later tonight when there might have been five times as many people.”



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