DOZENS of customers fled for safety after an HGV lorry crashed through a restaurant's walls.

The lorry had ploughed through a car park and into the diner after its driver collapsed at the wheel after becoming unwell.

Fire & Rescue Services raced to the scene at the entrance of Strathclyde Park in Lanarkshire on Monday.

The vehicle had careered off the A725 road, mounted a grass verge and collided with a parked vehicle before hitting the restaurant.

It later emerged the 57-year-old truck driver had later died of a suspected heart attack.

A female diner at the Toby Carvery was also taken to Monklands Hospital in Airdrie after suffering leg injuries from falling debris.

Stunned eye witnesses told how customers had fled in terror from the Carvery.

David Kelly, 36, of Bothwell, Lanarkshire said: "I had been walking in Strathclyde Park when I heard an almighty crash.

"Further along the road I saw the lorry sticking out of the side of the restaurant.

"Soon after that the customers and staff came pouring of an emergency exit. They looked very relieved and they have been very lucky.

"It was a scene of total carnage. I'm amazed more people haven't been seriously injured.

"There were about four fire engines and lots of police. It was being treated as a major incident as far as I could see."

A spokesman for the Toby Carvery said: "The impact of the crash was in an area of the restaurant that was not in full use.

"So thankfully none of our customers or staff were seriously injured, although everyone was clearly shocked by the accident.

"Our staff quickly and safely evacuated the restaurant and called the emergency services who arrived and took control of the situation."

Strathclyde Fire & Rescue's specialist Urban Search and rescue team attended to assist building control with any work that might be needed to stabilise the building.

A report on the incident will also be sent to the procurator fiscal.