Emergency services were called to the Elgin Boulevard centre about 10.20am on Thursday.

A 79-year-old Wodonga woman had been parking when she lost control of her Toyota SUV and rammed through the wall.

Shopper April Summerfield said she had heard a loud bang followed by frantic scenes as the vehicle entered Fantastic Home and Gifts.

She had been at Payless Shoes next door and said the impact was enough to make the floor shake.

“It was hectic,” Ms Summerfield said.

“There were people running around everywhere, making sure someone had called the ambulance and fire brigade.

“Then people were rushing outside to have a look.”

A large crowd gathered as the woman was freed from the vehicle, which had deployed several airbags.

Several neighbouring stores had to be evacuated and closed amid concerns for the structure.

The driver was placed in a neck brace before being taken to Wodonga Hospital with suspected minor injuries. 

Ms Summerfield said she thought the woman may have stepped on the accelerator instead of the brake.

“We were inside and heard this almighty smash,” she said.

“I knew straight away it was a car.

“We could feel the vibration through the floor.”

The vehicle had only narrowly driven between two large steel bollards protecting the building. 

Acting Sergeant Owen Clarke said police would investigate.

“In a car park there are moving cars, people walking around,” he said.

“There are a lot of things that could have been hit that weren’t, so all things considered it was a pretty fortunate set of events.”

Sergeant Clarke said police were yet to determine what had occurred, and didn’t rule out a licence review.

“If that’s something that we think might contribute to preventing it from happening again, then we’ll certainly look down that path,” he said.

“But at this stage we’ve still got to actually speak to her.”

SES volunteers used tools to support the damaged structure amid fears it would collapse.