Two women shot after accepting lift at nightclub

Two women were shot in the head in the early hours of yesterday when a gunman opened fire on an open-top car in which they had been offered a lift. The seriously injured women, aged 22 and 25, were driven to a police station in Bristol, where they and the car were abandoned.

Two women were shot in the head in the early hours of yesterday when a gunman opened fire on an open-top car in which they had been offered a lift. The seriously injured women, aged 22 and 25, were driven to a police station in Bristol, where they and the car were abandoned.

Avon and Somerset Police believe the three men who had offered the two friends a lift fled when shots were fired from a following BMW car. Detective Chief Inspector Geoff Spicer said a fourth man, who was at the scene, got into the Saab convertible and drove it to the station. He was seen running off.

The 22-year-old woman, from the Horfield area of Bristol, was said last night to be in critical condition in hospital. Her friend, from St Andrews, Bristol, was hit in the face and might lose the sight in one eye, police said. Her condition was "serious but stable".

Mr Spicer said: "It appears that this was a case of two young women, who after enjoying an innocent night out, met up with a group of men and agreed to accept the offer of a lift home. They have then become victims of a terrible shooting incident."

Police said they were concerned for the safety of the four men and appealed for them to come forward. "It is possible they may also have suffered gunshot wounds and could be at risk," Mr Spicer said.

"We would also like to appeal to any late-night revellers who may have been in the area at the time, returning home from a night out in the city."

The car left the Cooler Bar at about 3.30am, the party having gathered at the Bar Three nightclub, and the shooting occurred on the corner of Chalks Road and Lyndale Road. Mr Spicer said: "The Saab would certainly have been fairly distinctive because its roof was folded down during its journey from the nightclub."

Anyone with information is asked to contact Southmead police station.