The family of a woman hit by a car in Wantage town centre have praised the public for their quick thinking and help.

Iya Kadi’s mother Sanae Gharbaoui was hit by a car which struck her lower back area near the bottom of her spine at around 12.30pm on Sunday, May 18.

The incident occurred outside the Card Factory store in Market Place and left Sanae lying flat on the floor unable to move.

“My mum walked out after seeing the car parked up in the parking lot was reversing out and assumed it was safe to go and that no car would try to overtake the car reversing,” she said.

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Oxford Mail: The incident happened close to Card Factory in Wantage.The incident happened close to Card Factory in Wantage. (Image: Google Maps)

“When she walked out when she was suddenly hit from the back and didn’t see that a car was coming through at speed and knocked her off.”

The car stopped and people rushed over to help Sanae while someone ran into the nearby Costa where Iya’s sister works to inform her what had happened.

Around 20 minutes later the police turned up and so did Iya and her family to check on her mum after the incident.

“At this point there was a guy from the fire brigade union holding my mum's head as well as a lady called Maggie and an off-duty nurse,” explained Iya.

“They were all helping to look after my mum whilst she was struggling to cope with what had happened.”

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An ambulance turned up around one hour after and took Sanae to the John Radcliffe Hospital.

“She is taking a low recovery as her body has all been shaken up and is resting and the X-ray showed nothing to be broken, thank god,” said Iya.

“We were all shaken up but really appreciative of all the help that came from the local community.

“Your support and warmth throughout the whole wait for the ambulance kept her calm and patient during a situation which she has never experienced in her life.

“She was in absolute shock, not knowing what to do, as well as the physical trauma of the hit.

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Oxford Mail: The woman was taken by ambulance to John Radcliffe Hospital (file photo).The woman was taken by ambulance to John Radcliffe Hospital (file photo). (Image: PA)

“I want to say a massive thank you to the gentleman from the fire brigade union who knew exactly what to do.

“He held her head the whole entire time as well as keeping the situation controlled so I’m really sorry I’ve forgotten your name but you were amazing!

“Maggie and the young girl who was an off-duty paramedic, as well as other people offering their help, left my heart full even during a particularly difficult time.”

The Oxford Mail has approached Thames Valley police for a further update on the incident while South Central Ambulance Service were unable to comment.