A BANGLADESHI takeaway restaurant that was severely damaged when a car was driven through the front wall is likely to remain closed ‘for some time’.

The Taste of Bengal in Ivybridge was hit when the female driver of a Volkswagen Passat suffered a suspected ‘medical epis-ode’ while driving down Harford Road last Thursday.

Emergency services were alerted at 12.15pm, after the vehicle crossed busy Fore Street and ploughed head on into the curry house. The car completely entered the building, smashing freezers out of the way and coming to rest against an internal wall.

The police praised four men who immediately went to the woman’s aid and helped release her from the car, before she was taken to hospital by paramedics. The casualty was lucky to escape serious injury and was released from hospital later that evening. The incident saw police, fire and ambulance services rush to the scene, along with press and TV cameras.

Speaking last Thursday, Pc Mark Popperwell confirmed that there had been no other casualties. He said: ‘The vehicle remains in situ until a structural engineer can inspect the building. We can scotch rumours that they were trying to jumpstart planning permission for a drive-thru restaurant.’

This week, Ivybridge North neighbourhood beat manager Pc Tamsin Dingley gave an update, saying: ‘The vehicle was removed and the building, plus McColls, was secured and made safe around 6pm. There was minor disruption to traffic in the area as Fore Street was only closed for one hour while ambulance, police and firemen were on scene. Police remained on the cordon until the vehicle had been removed.

‘The female driver, although shocked and shaken, was unhurt with only neck and back pain, and was released from hospital around 9pm. A medical episode is suspected and the investigation has been forwarded to the force’s Collision Unit to look into. 

‘The takeaway remains closed and boarded up, and will be for some time.’