Praise for workers and visitors to Ripleys Garden Centre in Bethersden, near Ashford, who rushed to aid of A28 crash victims
"Brilliant" store workers and customers have been praised for their swift action in aiding the victims of a "horrific" road crash. The collision involved a small van and a car outside the Ripleys Garden Centre on the A28 Ashford Road, Bethersden.
A woman driver, who witnessed the crash, said: "The staff and customers were brilliant. "I could see the passenger of the van had a head injury and the driver had an injured leg.
"These were two young men and they were lying on the ground. The people from the store were keeping them calm and telling them to lie still until the ambulance arrived. "The people in the car, a man and woman, were also hurt, and chairs were provided for them.
The woman's leg had swollen up so she was given an ice pack to deal with that." It happened at about 2.30pm on Bank Holiday Monday (May 26).
The witness, who did not want to be named, has already given details to police. She added: "It was horrific to see the crash.
It gave me a panic attack and for a moment I had trouble breathing.
"I was unable to help, not even dial 999, but I think several people from the store did. "One member of staff gave me a bottle of water as I was hyperventilating." Police confirmed their attendance to a collision involving two vehicles in Ashford Road, Bethersden.
"Officers and paramedics attended the scene where four people were treated for injuries and arrangements were made to recover the vehicles," a spokesperson added. The incident was posted about on the Bethersden Community Group Facebook page. The lead commentator on the post said: "A big well done to Ripleys Garden Centre staff who reacted immediately and rushed to the scene and carried on helping throughout.
They were brilliant."
Another commentator added: "Well done to Ripleys staff, always very caring."
KentOnline has contacted the garden centre for further details and comment.