A COMMUNITY stalwart has thanked the ‘heroes’ who rushed to her aid after an accident in a supermarket car park.

Churchwarden Sue Philips, who lives in Ampney Crucis, was walking away from Tesco Extra in Cirencester last Tuesday, May 28 when she was hit by a car.

She fell onto the bonnet and hit her head when she landed on the ground.

It left her with a cut to the head and mild concussion plus aches and pains.

Mrs Philips - who volunteers at Cirencester Hospital and at Rodmarton Primary School, where she helps children with their reading - spoke to the Standard about the incident and expressed her heartfelt thanks to those who sprang to her aid.

The ordeal began around 3pm after Mrs Philips visited the Tesco pharmacy for advice about a cough.

“I came out with the medication in my hand and I was walking to my vehicle when this car came round the corner and I fell onto the bonnet,” said Mrs Philips, who worked as a general manager in manufacturing for Marks & Spencer before she retired.

“I was then knocked off with my back taking the whole of the fall and I cut my head.

“I have a gash on it but it wasn't deep enough to need stitches and I ache all over.”

Tesco staff rushed to help along with some nurses who were shopping at the time.

Screens were put up and a section of the car park closed while Mrs Philips was treated.

“People came from nowhere,” she said.

“They stayed with me until the paramedics arrived and the pharmacist came to take my blood pressure.

“Some police officers also came to help.

“It was pouring with rain and they didn’t want me to get off the tarmac in case I’d broken something so I just got colder and colder."

Mrs Philips, a churchwarden for St Mary’s Church in Driffield and St Michael and All Angels in Harnhill, got herself checked at Cirencester Hospital later that week and was found to be in a state of shock with mild concussion.

“I’m thankful it was nothing more serious and no bones were broken,” she said.

“I’m just enjoying the comfort of my home now."

Mrs Philips, who is a full-time carer for her husband, was keen to thank everyone who helped.

“Everyone was so kind, they were all heroes," she said "I don’t know their names but I just want to say thank you to everybody."

Friend and Neighbourhood Watch coordinator Neil White from Driffield drove Mrs Philips home and stayed with her for three hours as instructed by the paramedics.

Mr White also praised those who helped at the scene.

"Sue is such a centre of the community and does so much good and helps so many people,” he said.

“Everyone was concerned because she’s just such a wonderful human being.

"I know that Sue has been really touched by the support she was given, it really does represent the essence of our culture.

“Deep down, people are just so decent, and we often forget that."