Terror crash at the barber's

Ian Reynolds, 33, a Sidley cricketer, was waiting for a haircut at Sharp Style barbers when a Renault 21 ploughed into the shop and landed on his right leg - pinning it to the ground under the weight of the engine and brick rubble.

Shop owner Keith Green and customer Richard Hoyland saw the car approaching a split second before impact and were able to dive for cover.

As our picture show the car, driven by a middle-aged local man, took out almost the entire shop front and ended up right in the salon.

Mr Reynolds yelled out in agony as two crews of firefighters fought to release him despite being given pain relief by paramedics.

Leading Firefighter David Leggatt said airbags were used to raise the front of the car allowing Mr Reynolds to be eventually freed.

Richard Hoyland, who works for Rother District Council, was sitting in the barber's chair mid way through a haircut on Monday when the terrifying crash occurred.

He said: "It happened so quickly. It was about 12.45pm. We were sitting chatting away when I heard a loud bang. I looked round and saw a car hurtling towards us having hit a kerb.

"Instinct took over and I leapt out of the seat and the barber and I dived out of the way as it steamed through the window. I turned round and the shop had been wrecked and there was this brown car there with Ian pinned under it.

"He was in a lot of pain but he was talking and conscious. It was totally terrifying. You go in for a close shave but that's the last thing you expect. Now I've got half a haircut."

Mr Reynolds was taken to the Conquest Hospital with his leg injuries and was able to go home the same day. The driver was treated at the scene for cuts and bruises before being taken home by a neighbouring shop-keeper.

Police closed the eastbound carriageway of Buckhurst Place for two hours while officers investigated how the incident came about, causing delays and confusion for motorists.

Leading Firefighter Leggatt said: "When he arrived the man had been knocked over and was in a semi kneeling position with one leg from the knee down to the foot trapped under the car and some brick rubble from the shop front.

"He was extremely lucky the car did not go right over him. It must have been very painful and he was a brave man.

"The facia had been almost completely taken out and we used Acrowjack props to hold the roof up until we could ascertain the amount of structural damage. When we got the injured man out we saw there was a lintel and there was no danger of the roof collapsing."

Firefighters pushed what was left of the car out by hand before it was lifted onto a recovery truck.

Neighbours pulled together providing teas for emergency services. The Hair by David salon across the road even offered to finish Mr Hoyland's haircut.

Incredibly Sharp Style was open for business as usual the following day with the shop front boarded-up.

Staff member Robin Elliot said: "Keith is supposed to be emigrating to France in a couple of weeks and I'm taking over. Let's hope I've got a shop to take over."

Police are appealing for witnesses to contact the Road Policing Unit at Polegate on 0845 60 70 999.