Diners flee, staff trapped as car hits Blue Gulabi restaurant at Woolloongabba, Brisbane, Qld

Video: Marc Robertson
Story: Anthony Gough
http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/queensland/diners-flee-as-car-hits-blue-gu...

DINERS were forced to jump for their lives when a car crashed through a Brisbane restaurant tonight, injuring two men and trapping staff.
Ambulance, police and fire officers were called to the Blue Gulabi Indian restaurant at Woolloongabba about 7.20pm after a white Commodore station wagon smashed through its shopfront.
Witness Laura McMahon said she saw the car careen around a corner, through two parked cars and into the shop, shattering glass and sending patrons scattering.
"I'm surprised there weren't more injuries, because it was quite crowded," she said.
Blue Gulabi owner Gomi Chendi said she had just sat down for a meeting at the front of the shop when she heard a noise and turned to see the car bearing down on her.
"I saw the car come straight in and the gentleman that was with me, his leg was squished between the wall and the chair, so I literally had to get up and throw all the furniture out and cry out "Help!" to get him out," Ms Chendi said.
She said three other patrons, including a pregnant woman, dived out of the way of the approaching car, which became wedged in the restaurant and trapped staff in the kitchen for 30 minutes.
"I'm just grateful that he hasn't hit any one of us or any of our customers," she said.
Employee Manci Rajput, who was trapped in the kitchen, said the staff were lucky to be alive after the terrifying ordeal.
"I was in the kitchen and I saw the car just trying to come into our shop and it suddenly come and I was just shouting and crying, I was shocked," she said.
"We are very lucky, thanks to God."
The driver and another man were transported to hospital with minor injuries.

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