A local woman, working at a nearby B&Q store, shared her harrowing experience of witnessing a shocking incident where a van driver tragically struck two pedestrians while attempting to evade a police car, as reported by Patrick Sawer. The unsettling scene unfolded during the early evening, around half past five, when she noticed a white van pull up beside her. At that moment, a police car was trailing the van, moving slowly without activating its flashing lights, which added to the tension of the situation.

Lynn Haggitt recounted to Channel 4 News, “The driver glanced in his mirror and realized there was a police vehicle right behind him. In a panic, the white van reversed sharply at the corner of the street, directly colliding with two individuals.” Her description vividly captured the chaos as the van seemingly targeted the pedestrians instead of taking evasive action. “The woman ended up on the curb, and then the driver rapidly reversed the van before speeding away down Parliament Street, with the police cars in pursuit,” she elaborated.

According to Ms. Haggitt, the van appeared to have intentionally driven “straight into” both victims, showing no inclination to swerve or avoid them. “He didn’t even attempt to turn; he just backed up directly into them,” she stated. “Incredibly, the man managed to get to his feet despite suffering head injuries. Remarkably, he stood by, awaiting the arrival of an ambulance.” The scene was distressing, as the woman remained seated on the curb, and Ms. Haggitt noted that despite her presence for about 15 minutes, no ambulance had arrived, prompting the police officer to begin administering first aid.

Mrs. Haggitt described the van driver as having dreadlocks, a beard, and wearing a hat, adding, “You just don’t want to witness such horrifying events.” Reflecting on the traumatic incident that occurred near Nottingham’s Theatre Royal, she shared, “The woman was thrown onto the curb, and the man was propelled into the air. The sound of the impact was so loud; I wish I had never seen it. It has truly shaken me to my core. I approached the scene, perhaps I shouldn’t have, but I felt compelled to see if I could assist in any way.”