A young woman had an amazing escape when her car went out of control, rolled over several times and hit a house.

And the homeowner and his friend also cheated death.

They ran for their lives after seeing the car hurtling towards them as they chatted by the back door.

The crash happened at the junction of Faulkbourne Road with Troys Lane, Faulkbourne, near Witham.

The Renault Clio was heading towards Witham when it left the road, rolled and hit the house, ending up in the garden.

John Atkinson, an estate worker, said he was talking to a friend when they saw the car coming towards them. "We ran in different directions," he said.

Mr Atkinson's wife, Linda, was upstairs and heard a series of bangs.

"I saw the mangled car and feared the worst," she said.

Mr Atkinson said the driver - who escaped with shock and bruising - "was very, very lucky".

The Atkinsons rang the emergency services, supplied blankets and comforted the woman until help arrived.

Mr Atkinson added: "We have lived here for 20 years and in that time have pulled nearly as many cars out of our garden."

The couple had only just repaired their fence and hedge. In Sunday morning's smash they lost some of it again, plus two trees.

Just days previously, the Atkinsons had been to a public meeting to discuss speed reduction in Faulkbourne and White Notley.

Essex County Council officers were bombarded with concerns from residents over the dangers of driving on the Witham Road.

Diane Barber, chairman of the parish council, said: "The officers' replies were reassuring and by April next year speed reduction measures should be in place."

The news can't come too soon for the Atkinsons, who dread more smashes.

Mrs Atkinson said: "We are just relieved this accident was no worse. When I first saw the state of the car I really feared the worst."

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