'What are we gonna do next?': massage shop crash victims left with uncertain future

Rattana Phubia and her colleague were giving a couple's massage when a Subaru SUV rammed into the glass shop front, ploughed through their room and trapped them all underneath.

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"When I regained consciousness, a customer was lying across my chest," Ms Phubia, who was still deeply shocked and traumatised by the crash, told The Canberra Times.

"I was trapped for more than 45 minutes. I struggled to breathe while I was trapped."

The massage therapist, who is nursing a severely swollen leg and using crutches to walk, said her co-worker's condition was far more serious.

We all have bills to pay, and now we're just stressed - like, what are we gonna do next?

- Thanachporn Khayan, employee

The woman, who is expected to remain in hospital for another six weeks, has suffered severe hip trauma and underwent surgery on a broken arm.

"Her partner and friends have been supporting her, and the shop owner also visited her in hospital," Ms Phubia said.

A police officer speaking to a staff member (inset) at the scene of the shop front crash at Cooleman Court, Weston. Pictures by Bageshri Savyasachi

The driver of the car, an 84-year-old woman who was trapped inside her vehicle after the crash, tested negative to drugs and alcohol in her system and was said to be co-operating with investigators.

After the crash, Harmony Tree therapeutic massage and day spa was cordoned off by police for investigation.

However, this did not stop burglars from targeting the vulnerable shop front and stealing belongings, including cash, phones and cards left behind on the day.

"We only found out on Saturday night when a staff member contacted the shop owner to report that someone had used her money with her permission. This made an already very difficult situation even more stressful for all of us," Ms Phubia said.

ACT Policing is investigating the reported theft.

Ms Phubia does not have family in Canberra and said she was now staying with her boss who had kindly offered to take care of her.

"This has been an extremely difficult time, and we are simply trying to recover and get through each day," Ms Phubia said.

The silver Subaru seen inside the massage business after crash victims were taken to hospital. Picture by Bageshri Savyasachi

Sukanya Loaose, who has owned and operated Harmony Tree with her husband for the past five years, had given birth to a baby girl days before the crash and rushed to the scene on the day.

"I'm just shocked - really, really shocked. I don't have time to think or be sad. I'm just dealing with paperwork," Ms Loaose, who had just visited her employee in hospital, told this masthead.

It is understood the owners are awaiting multiple insurance claims to provide care and compensation for their staff.

Another Harmony Tree employee, Thanachporn Khayan, who was eating lunch at the time of the crash, had minor injuries on the day.

She said she was concerned for the hospitalised woman, as she had only worked as a massage therapist and her injuries may have put her livelihood at risk.

"We all have bills to pay, and now we're just stressed - like, what are we gonna do next?" Ms Khayan said.

She said she left her electric scooter at work after police prevented people from entering the crash site, and that it was stolen later that night.

The scooter was a back-up after her car was damaged and needed repairs, she said.

Without a mode of transport, Ms Khayan was worried she would not be able to find work.

"Most of us are on [temporary] visas ... My visa also going to finish in two months ... I was hoping to save money," she said.

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