A man lost control of his car after collapsing at the wheel - smashing into a Streatham Park pharmacy, seriously injuring a pedestrian and causing thousands of pounds of damage.

Passers-by said the 48-year-old man was driving his red Rover in Mitcham Lane at 10.45am last Thursday when he suddenly veered off the road, ploughing into Markrise pharmacy.

Shocked shoppers said a woman was hit with a roadside barrier, catapulted by the smash, adding that the car missed a mother and her two young children "by inches".

Both the driver and the 54-year-old woman were rushed to St George's Hospital in Tooting.

The 54-year-old is still believed to be in hospital after suffering serious cuts, a suspected pelvic fracture and a possible thigh bone fracture.

Ambulance staff suspected the driver suffered a heart attack, but following tests, his loss of control is now believed to be the result of a medical condition. He has since been released from hospital.

Pharmacist Nitin Patel, 50, who was inside Markside when the crash occurred said: "The car came in like lightning. It was like something off a movie set."

He said he was amazed no-one inside the packed shop was hurt considering the interior was showered with smashed glass as the car came to a halt six or seven feet inside.

Fears the building might collapse led the chemist, between the junctions of Blegborough and Thrale Roads, to be cordoned off while Mitcham Lane was shut in both directions for several hours.

Witness Michelle Smith, who works in estate agent Barnard Marcus opposite the pharmacy, said her office was ordered to evacuate because of the danger of the building collapsing.

She added: "It made such a crash when the car hit. It came in at such a high speed and there were so many people in the street I'm amazed more people weren't hurt."

Mr Patel, said he was thankful the shop was insured and was no longer considered at risk of collapsing, but thousands of pounds of damage was caused.

He said the pharmacy would still run a skeleton service but he did not know when all the repairs would be carried out.

Before the car was cleared from the shop, many onlookers commented on how the angle of the car and its close proximity to the railings made it seem it had jumped the barrier.

Ms Smith explained: "It came in from an angle and spun as it hit the barrier. That's how it ended up in that position."