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Shoppers had a miracle escape when a van smashed through the glass doors of a busy supermarket last night.

The Ford van reversed through the main glass doors and plate glass windows of Lynch’s Centra supermarket at Gort Road in Ennis, Co Clare at around 8.30pm.

One shopper was hospitalised while four others suffered minor injuries after the accident.

Customers and staff fled in terror as the van careered through the front of the bust store and into the main counter area.

The vehicle managed to avoid safety bollards outside the store as well as a concrete pillar.

The bonnet was covered in the one inch think reinforced glass that was also destroyed.

Shelving and stock was left strewn across the store’s floor while shattered glass covered pavement outside the store.

The alarm was quickly raised and emergency services were at the scene within minutes.

Two ambulances and a rapid response advanced paramedic unit from Ennis General Hospital, just yards away, arrived at the scene within seconds.

They were quickly followed by gardai and three units of the fire brigade also from Ennis.

Paramedics examined all those who had been injured and established that only one required hospitalisation.

Four others suffered minor injuries and were treated at the scene.

Gardai are investigating the cause of the accident and how the van ended up inside the store.

It wasn’t clear if the vehicle had lost control and accidentally smashed into the premises.

One shopper said: "I was getting into my car and I heard an almighty smash and a lot of screaming.

"I thought there was a crash on the road but saw nothing. Then I looked back at the shop and saw the van inside.

"I nearly got weak with the fright. I just came out of there."

Gardai sealed off the area and moved onlookers back behind a cordon while the injured were tended to by paramedics.

One person was taken to hospital as a precaution while the others were treated at the scene for cuts and bruises and shock.

While fire crews were dealing with the incident, they were diverted to another incident in Ennis.

Emergency crews responded to the Parnell Street car park in the town where it had been reported a person was in the river.

But on arrival, there was no sign of anyone in the water.

The Irish Coast Guard’s Shannon based rescue helicopter was last night assisting fires crews and gardai to search the river.