Traffic was ground to a halt in Front Street after a silver Ford Focus crashed into a parked red Renault van just before 3.30pm today.

Eyewitnesses rushed to the scene to help the female driver of the Focus, who was potentially saved from major injuries after the car's air-bag deployed.

Two fire crews, an ambulance and a police car were quickly on scene, with the woman taken to North Tyneside General Hospital for further examinations.

Shocked witnesses said they believed the woman had only suffered shock in the crash.

The Focus suffered major damage to the front, while the van – which was pushed back into a Renault Megane and onto the kerb - had both front wheels seriously damaged and were at a 45 degree angle.

One witness had been in an overlooking shop when he heard a loud bang.

He said: "I just saw the red van move, I thought someone had reversed it into the car behind, then as I got round the corner of it I saw someone had hit it and snapped the wheels off it.

"When I saw the woman in the car I ran and tried to turn the ignition off.

"She looked shocked.

"It looks like she has come straight out the junction (Bromley Avenue).

"No other vehicles were involved.

"Maybe she was trying to avoid someone, maybe the sun got in her eyes.

"I just hope she's alright at the end of the day."

He added: "It's a busy road but I've never heard of an accident here and I've been working here for seven years."