RSL president 'counting his lucky stars' after car crashes into club

The president of an RSL club in Adelaide narrowly escaped serious injury when a car slammed into the building.

A Ford Falcon station wagon became wedged into the side of West Croydon and Kilkenny RSL after an 80-year-old driver lost control of the car around 8.30pm yesterday.

Moments before the crash that broke through the brick wall, the club's president had been sitting in the office.

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Witnesses said the driver reversed through the war memorial garden before smashing into plaques commemorating war veterans.

The car then accelerated and crashed into a motorbike, then ploughed into the office.

The SES were called to help clean up the mess and check the building for structural stability.

The drama unfolded during blues night at the RSL, leaving onlookers stunned.

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The damage is "sad for veterans, and sad for the community," South Australia RSL chief executive Tara Belton said.

"But also we're grateful that it's just the driver our concerns are with, and nobody else was hurt."

The president of the RSL told 9News he'd like to thank the patrons who quickly jumped in to help and the emergency services workers who worked into the night.

"Just minutes prior he was sitting in the room that was impacted by the car so he is counting his lucky stars no doubt today," chief executive Belton said.

Paramedics treated the driver for minor injuries before taking him to hospital, where they conducted a mandatory blood alcohol test.