A young family narrowly avoided being hit by a 4x4 after its driver lost control and crashed into a wall on a historic Norwich street.

Eastern Daily Press: Witnesses described hearing screams followed by a loud bang as a blue Volvo accelerated down Elm Hill and knocked down a lamp post. Photo: Luke PowellWitnesses described hearing screams followed by a loud bang as a blue Volvo accelerated down Elm Hill and knocked down a lamp post. Photo: Luke Powell (Image: Archant)

Witnesses described hearing screams followed by a loud bang as a blue Volvo accelerated down Elm Hill and knocked over a lamp post.

It then continued towards the Monastery Court Car Park, where it crashed into the side of a house.

The ambulance service, which was called shortly after 2.40pm yesterday, said the driver - a woman in her 70s - was taken to hospital, along with two passengers.

A police spokesman said it was not yet known what caused the accident, but added there had been no arrests.

Eastern Daily Press: Witnesses described hearing screams followed by a loud bang as a blue Volvo accelerated down Elm Hill and knocked down a lamp post. Photo: Luke PowellWitnesses described hearing screams followed by a loud bang as a blue Volvo accelerated down Elm Hill and knocked down a lamp post. Photo: Luke Powell (Image: Archant)

An employee from the Storm in a Teacup cafe told how a family-of-four narrowly escaped being hit by the vehicle.

The 34-year-old staff member, who did not wish to be named, said: 'I heard a bang and then crying and screaming. It was all quite surreal.

'A lady, her husband, and their children were walking down Elm Hill at the time. I don't know if the car slightly hit his [the husband's] leg, but they were very shaken up and came to sit in here afterwards.'

Doreen Ross, 66, from Aberdeen, had been standing outside the Britons Arms cafe at the time of the crash.

Eastern Daily Press: The scene of the crash on Elm Hill. Photo: Jo Clarke.The scene of the crash on Elm Hill. Photo: Jo Clarke. (Image: Archant)

She said: 'I heard an engine squealing and I thought it was youngsters at first. But then I turned around and saw the car take out the lamp post. It all happened so fast.'

Her husband, David, 69, said he ran over to the car after it had come to a halt. He added: 'I heard people screaming and thought someone had been hit.

'She [the driver] was asking if anyone else was hurt, but I wasn't able to say at the time.'

An ambulance service spokesman confirmed that no pedestrians had been injured.

The spokesman said an occupant inside the car had complained of chest pains, adding they were all taken to the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital. Their injuries are not thought to be life threatening.

Christina Morris, 72, who owns the house which the car crashed into, said: 'We were in at the time and heard this incredible bang.

'It was like a bomb going off, which is what I thought it was at first. But I looked outside and saw a car embedded in our wall.'