The road to lucky escapes
It has been revealed that three woman have walked away with no personal injuries, following a road traffic accident that occurred on Saturday January 9th 2010.
An East of England Ambulance Service was called to the A600 in Henlow at 12.14pm after a report of a car leaving the road and ending up in a ditch.
Ambulance crews from Letchworth and Shefford also attended the scene. The crash took place near to the Greyhound race track in Henlow.
Ambulance service spokesman Gary Sanderson spoke of the collision: “The car was found in a ditch on our arrival and the three woman involved had made their own way out on the roadside. They were all checked over by one of our emergency care practitioners, and they did not require to go to hospital.”
Bus Slide show
In similar news, three more people have also survived a collision, one which could have easily turned into a mass tragedy.
The incident occurred when a double decker bus in Leicestershire crashed into a house after sliding off snow-covered road.
The bus ploughed into the property’s front porch in Jewsbury Way, Thorpe Astley, shortly after 10am Monday 11th January 2010.
The driver and two passengers were unhurt and luckily no one was in the house at the time. It is thought that road accident claims may be filed and an investigation has been launched.
Keith Myatt, from the bus company, said the firm's drivers assessed all operational routes and advised management of changes in road conditions. He stated: “We support our drivers and their commitment to making these judgements.”
Residents living nearby claimed it was an accident waiting to happen, as the road had not been gritted. One 36-year-old, who lives opposite the damaged house, said he had made repeated calls to Leicestershire County Council calling for Jewsbury Way to be gritted.
He stated: “This is a main bus route and, therefore, ought to be gritted, but the roads here are treacherous. Had the bus been a few feet to the left, the house could have been flattened.”
Another local resident, 32, said: “The bus was not going fast at all, but it was a very lucky escape. At the end of the day, the council should have kept the road clear.”
A county council spokeswoman responded to the criticism: “When ice is forecast, 45% of the road network is treated, including most A roads, some B and C roads, commuter routes and major bus routes and as far as is possible, at least one route through all Leicestershire villages. Regrettably, Jewsbury Way does not fall within these definitions.
“However, at the end of each winter, the gritting routes are carefully reviewed and any proposals put forward will be looked at.”
Due to winter conditions, accident claims are high. Dark mornings and evenings result in a higher death toll than normal seasons.
In 2009 there were 3,172 road accident winter deaths and serious injuries reached 28,673.
Updated on 1/12/2010