A woman has died and eight others are seriously injured after a car ploughed into a crowd of people at a bus stop in Germany.

Shortly before 3pm today witnesses saw the small car suddenly swerve into the oncoming lane and race towards the bus stop in Recklinghausen, in the Ruhr region of west Germany.

The motive is uncertain but a police spokesperson said early indications are that it may have been intentional.

Policemen and firefighters standing next to a damaged car after the driver raced into a group of waiting people at a bus stop in Recklinghausen, killing one and injuring eight others

Police spokeswoman Ramona Hörst said: 'There are first indications of a possible suicide attempt by the man.'

A large contingent of emergency services including five ambulances arrived on the scene within minutes, and passers-by stopped to help the injured, Bild reported.

Firefighters released the driver from the vehicle, although contrary to early reports he was not trapped inside the wreckage.

Bystander Christian Schell, 30, told Bild: 'It was a chaotic situation. Various first responders, including employees of a nearby orthodontist and the crew of a patrol car took care of the injured.'

The woman was taken to hospital but died a short while later.