Shop front shock

The empty Vauxhall Astra sent instruments flying as it burst through the shutters and window at Strings in Blackwell Street.

The car caused thousands of pounds damage to the shop front and instruments but avoided pedestrians as it careered down Coventry Street.

Owner Lawrence Lynch said he was amazed no one was hurt and thankful the shop had closed just two hours earlier

"We were lucky no one was in the shop. If that had happened during the day, someone could've been killed," he said.

"It managed to negotiate a whole street, bollards, and a flight of steps before hitting the shop. The chances of that happening must be one in a thousand.

"If the shutters hadn't been down to break some of the fall, I'm sure the car would've gone right through the shop and into the back."

The Astra was parked outside Yorkshire Bank in Coventry Street before rolling backwards.

"What's even more surprising is how little damage there was done to the car," said Mr Lynch.

"There'd been a torrential rainstorm for about 20 minutes, so it would've helped make a stream down the hill.

"The shop is set down in the road below the steps. It's remarkable how it got over there."

Since the accident at 7.30pm last Tuesday, Mr Lynch has had the window and new shutters replaced, but was unable to put a figure on the insurance claim.

Sgt Ian Garratt, of Kidderminster police, said it was too early to speculate on what caused the car to run away and offers were "keeping an open mind".

He said it was fortunate the car coursed along a lay-by reserved for buses as Coventry Street leads into Blackwell Street and had not hit pedestrians.

"It's not a steep hill but more of an incline, but if a car starts to roll, it would have picked up speed," he added.

"It was evening, but there were quite a number of pedestrians around and we'd like them to contact us as witnesses."

Anyone with information should call police on 01562 820888 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.