A vehicle slammed into a shop in the Gate Pa shopping centre shortly after 11am on Thursday, trapping its sole female occupant.

The Coin Save store sustained significant damage but no pedestrians are believed to be hurt.

Emergency services pulled the vehicle from inside the store while the driver was still inside.

Hydraulic extrication equipment, commonly known as the jaws of life, was needed to cut the woman from the vehicle.

She was conscious but needed medical assistance from a member of St John.

Family members and people who know the woman were also at the scene of the crash.

One woman described the driver as a 'lovely, lovely lady.”

Fire, St John and police were in attendance and a large number of shoppers watched on as emergency services pulled the woman from the vehicle.

Police are not commenting on what caused the crash at this stage and investigations are continuing.