Police officers are hunting a crazed driver who injured a football fan when they crashed their car into a group of supporters after a top flight match starring two Scots. The incident took place after Tartan Army favourite John McGinn had faced off against former Airdrie midfielder Justin Devenney in a 2-2 draw.
Following yesterday’s Premier League match, the driver in question hit the crowd of people outside Villa Park, on Trinity Road, Birmingham. The Mirror reports West Midlands Police said today investigators are seeking the driver after they “deliberately'” hit the group.
One supporter, who was among those injured in the collision, said they were shocked no-one was killed after the car mounted the pavement outside the stadium. The victim, 33, said the car accelerated and struck her and several others on Witton Road, close to Manor Road, in Aston, at around 5.15pm, on November 23.
She told Birmingham Live she was forced to move her 85-year-old nan away from the car’s path, ultimately placing herself in harm’s way. The woman was flung over the vehicle’s bonnet and suffered injuries to her leg, with photos showing she had sustained extensive bruising following the incident.
She had been attending the game with her grandmother and niece before chaos unfolded, and said the car had struck her on the side of her knee.
She told Birmingham Live: “What was meant to be a good game of football ended up with me getting hit by a car, which struck me on the side of the knee.
“Was coming out of Villa about to cross the road and this big black car accelerated straight into us. I had shoved my elderly relative out the way and went onto the bonnet.
“He literally went into me, drove up the pavement into other people apparently. People around me were screaming. He hit multiple people, some people tried chasing after him.
“Many witnesses helped me up, but it could have been a lot worse. It has shaken me up and scared everyone. How no-one got killed I don’t know.
“It was absolutely reckless driving from him. Police were made aware and this has been reported to them.”
Police have since said they are seeking to identify the vehicle involved in the Saturday crash. People who may have seen the incident have been asked to come forward.
A West Midlands Police spokesperson confirmed no one was seriously injured in the incident, and asked anyone who may have relevant information to come forward.
They said: “We were called to a collision involving a car and pedestrians in Witton Road, Aston, yesterday (Saturday). Thankfully no-one was seriously injured. We are investigating and carrying out CCTV inquiries to identify the vehicle.”
Anyone who may have seen the incident or believes they can assist with the investigation has been asked to contact the service via its website Live Chat function or call the police non-emergency 101 number, quoting log 3654 of 23 November.
Devenney, who started his professional career with Kilmarnock, scored his first goal for Crystal Palace in the match, following his move from Airdrieonians last year and was recently called up by Northern Ireland.
Don’t miss the latest news from around Scotland and beyond. Sign up to our daily newsletter.