Car smashes through shop window on Hinemoa St in Rotorua's CBD

A police officer assesses the damage. Photo / Stephen Parker

A car has driven into a shop front on Hinemoa St in Rotorua this morning.

Instant Finance Rotorua manager Philippa Wills said it was a lucky escape for the DTR staff she had spoken to who were shaken up.

Police and emergency services were at the scene. Photo / Supplied

Wills said she knew something had happened when she heard the "boof".

Witnesses said it appeared the vehicle had accelerated instead of braking to park, and the driver came out the passenger door when people gathered around.

Hinemoa St accident

Posted by Rotorua Daily Post on Sunday, 23 June 2019

Sharon MacDonald was at her desk in the Bay of Plenty Headstones shop two doors down when she heard "a massive crash".

"There was lots of glass breaking, then someone yelled out."

A car has gone through a shop window. Photo / Supplied

Emergency services at the scene. Photo / Supplied

She said at first she thought two cars had collided, but then saw the car on the pavement.

"It almost looked like a ram raid, but then I had another look at the shops here and thought 'no it can't be'."

A police spokesman said police were called at 10.20am after reports of a car going through the window of a shop on Hinemoa St.

A St John's ambulance spokeswoman said one person was treated for minor injuries on the scene.

A police officer assesses the damage. Photo / Stephen Parker

A reporter at the scene said police and fire services were also responding.

A tow truck arrived about 10.45am.