A West Sussex mother has told how her family's life was shattered in a terrifying three-second ordeal when a car ploughed through the wall of their home as they watched television.
A Night of Relaxation Turns to Terror
Paige Amber, 32, was with her partner Joe, 40, and their children, including a 10-month-old baby, in their Capthorne home on the evening of January 2. At approximately 7:25pm, their quiet night was violently interrupted.
"We had just finished a curry," Paige recounted. "Then we heard and saw parts of my house fly across the room in pieces. It sounded like a bomb had gone off." The cause was a Ford Fiesta that had careered out of control, smashing into the property and striking both the gas main and electricity supply.
Immediate Aftermath and Lasting Trauma
The scene inside the house was one of instant chaos and fear. "My partner ran outside. I was screaming, my 10-month-old was crying, he'd just woken from the bang, my daughter and her friend were in hysterics," Paige said. The image of terror on her 10-year-old daughter's face is now permanently etched in her memory.
Fearing a collapse, the family was forced to evacuate immediately, leaving all their possessions behind. Their sense of safety was, in Paige's words, "ripped away forever" in that instant of impact. While miraculously no one sustained physical injuries, the psychological toll has been severe.
A Cramped Temporary Existence and Mounting Costs
The family has been living in a single, windowless room at a Travelodge ever since the crash. Paige described the accommodation as "an absolute nightmare," with all four of them crammed into one box room. The situation has been compounded by her youngest child being admitted to hospital with a chest infection.
Repairs to their damaged home are estimated at £30,000 and could take up to four months to complete. Facing immense strain, Paige has launched a GoFundMe page to help cover essentials like clothing, food, and short-term accommodation.
"I feel like I have aged 10 years in the last two weeks," she admitted. "I am massively struggling. One minute I am okay, then I am crying." Sussex Police have been approached for comment regarding the incident.
