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People millimetres from disaster as car smashes through petrol station

People have come just millimetres from disaster after a car crashed into a petrol station in Queensland.

The heart-stopping incident was captured on camera at a service station in Gympie, an hour north west of the Sunshine Coast.

The footage shows the shocking moment the car smashed through the store with people inside.

The out-of-control SUV crashed through the front of the station, grazing one woman but slamming into another.

“I was turned to walk away and I got hit on this arm and turned around and sort of went down on my knee,” survivor Alana Buchanan said.

The force of the crash sent shelves and fridges flying and left Ms Buchanan crushed between the counter and the car.

The SUV crashed into the Gympie petrol station
The SUV crashed into the Gympie petrol station. Source: 7News

Amazingly, in the footage Ms Buchanan shakes it off and stands up, seemingly unhurt.

“I was unlucky but I think I was lucky, could have been worse,” Ms Buchanan said.

In the post-crash chaos the driver climbs out, appearing panicked about those she’d hit, while witnesses rush to assist and one man checks under the vehicle.

But within just 30 seconds of the impact it was clear there were no major injuries.

“These sort of accidents, we’re always thinking the worst and when we find out not one person’s got an injury we’re actually quite shocked,” Justin Davidson of Clayton’s Towing said.

Survivor Alana Buchanan
Survivor Alana Buchanan. Source: 7News

The trouble began at the Caltex south of Gympie, when a driver finished filling up and jumped back behind the wheel, aiming for a park in front of the store.

However, she hit the accelerator, ploughing through glass and pushing metres into the building.

The repair bill is expected to cost more than $50,000. The 61-year old female driver is assisting police with their investigation.

Despite their bruises, those lucky to have come through unscathed bear no grudges towards the driver.

“We’ve thought about her a lot and hope she’s okay and don’t blame her,” Ms Buchanan said.