A PENSIONER was hit by a car yesterday after it mounted the pavement then careered into the front of Greenock Driving Test Centre.

The 66-year-old female pedestrian suffered a suspected broken arm and a hip injury in the incident.

The car was badly smashed and the test centre building damaged in the crash, at around 3.15pm.

An ambulance, police and two fire engines sped to the scene. The pedestrian was taken to Inverclyde Royal Hospital by ambulance, where she was detained overnight.

Emergency services were alerted by Laura Murphy, 24, who works for Thomas Bryce Estate Agents.

She said: “The woman and a man were looking at properties in the window. I think she was ready to walk away when she got hit.

“Then I heard a loud bang when the car hit the DSA office next door. I called emergency services and she managed to speak to ambulance staff over the phone. It was like something in a film.” The woman driver of the car was travelling along Union Street towards Gourock when the accident happened. Police are investigating claims she may have swerved to avoid another car. The woman was taken by ambulance to the IRH.

Firefighters also attended the incident after initial reports of someone trapped in a burning vehicle. However it emerged that steam spotted billowing from the car was caused by the heat of the engine.

Watch commander Cameron McLellan, of Greenock fire station, said: “The car appears to have mounted the pavement and knocked the woman down. The woman had a lucky escape.

“We assisted the ambulance service and hosed the car to make it safe.” Sergeant David Wilson, of Greenock police office, said today: “Inquiries are ongoing.”