A DRUNK mother-of-five crashed her car into a ditch causing a family to endure three hospital visits in one day.

Mary Purcell was celebrating her daughter’s release from hospital when she received a call to say her father was being admitted.

Despite being more than twice the legal limit, Purcell jumped into her Peugeot 207 and raced along Bures Road in White Colne.

The 43-year-old, of Ferriers Lane, Bures, lost control and drove her car into a ditch.

She was unable to get out and had to be rescued before being taken to hospital.

She admitted driving under the influence when she appeared at Colchester Magistrates’ Court on Friday.

The incident took place on June 26.

She tested at 234mg of alcohol in 100ml of urine.

The legal limit is 107mg.

Philip Pearson, prosecuting, said: “Police were called and found a motor vehicle in a ditch at 3.50am.

“An ambulance had already arrived.

“She was still in the driving seat and there was a strong smell of alcohol.

“She had to be taken to hospital.

“It was fortunate she had been found in the ditch.

“It is not clear how long she had been in there.

“It was a very worrying episode.”

The court heard Purcell’s daughter had been released the day before and the family were celebrating when she received a call from her mother.

Her father was having a suspected heart attack.

Rather than calling an ambulance or a taxi, she drove to get him, but ended in the ditch due to the large amount of alcohol she had been drinking.

The court heard she only has vague recollections of hospital, but did consent to a sample being taken.

For deciding to drive while drunk, she was banned from driving for 18 months. Purcell was fined £250 and ordered to pay £115 costs and charges.