A woman in her seventies has recounted a terrifying near-death experience after a heavy goods vehicle ploughed into a historic Cotswolds property, sending iron scaffolding poles hurtling through windows like deadly spears. The incident occurred in Tetbury, Gloucestershire, less than a mile from King Charles' Highgrove residence, where the woman was house-sitting for friends at the Grade II-listed home.
A Miraculous Escape from Impalement
The woman, who has chosen to remain anonymous, described her 'miracle escape' to the Daily Mail, revealing that one of the iron bars shot past her head by mere millimetres as she tidied the kitchen. 'I think it would be fair to say I'm lucky to still be alive,' she stated. 'It was a very close shave, but by some miracle I'm still here.' The HGV truck rammed into the front of the £1.4 million house, causing several scaffolding poles to pierce through three of the five front windows and rip through the slate roof, leaving a gaping hole.
Neighbours Witness the Aftermath
A neighbour vividly recalled the scene, noting that the poles tore through the property 'like spears' and glass shards were 'sent flying everywhere.' 'God knows how they missed her, but mercifully they did,' the neighbour added. Another resident living opposite the house reported hearing an almighty bang that initially sounded like a bomb explosion. Upon rushing outside, they observed a lorry partially on the pavement, entangled in the wrecked scaffolding that had been erected weeks earlier for chimney repairs.
Community Concerns Over HGV Traffic
The crash has reignited local concerns about heavy goods vehicles navigating the narrow, historic Silver Street, which was originally designed for coach and horses. Residents have been campaigning for years to ban HGVs from this route due to its tight bend and pinch points. 'The base of the scaffolding had been built up from the pavement at the front of the house, and in fairness to the lorry driver, it is a pinch point on this particular part of Silver Street, and it must have hit the scaffolding hard,' explained one neighbour.
Extensive Damage and Recovery Efforts
The collision resulted in significant structural damage, with pictures from the scene showing a mangled mass of scaffolding teetering on the verge of collapse. The lorry became stuck in the debris, requiring an entire day to remove it, while emergency services, including police cars, ambulances, and fire engines, responded promptly. The road was closed for approximately three days to manage the aftermath. The broken windows have since been covered with plasterboard and wooden panelling, and the scaffolding has been removed.
Impact on Property Sale and Insurance
The timing of the accident was particularly unfortunate as the six-bedroom property, featuring a large rear garden and tennis court, was being prepared for sale on the market with an expected price tag of £1.4 million. The woman, who is merely house-sitting, mentioned that the situation is now in the hands of insurance companies, though she expressed uncertainty about how long the claims process might take. 'I don't think they'd want me to say any more because they won't want this to affect any potential sale,' she remarked, referring to the owners.
This dramatic event underscores the dangers posed by large vehicles in historic towns and highlights the fragility of life in the face of unexpected accidents. The community continues to advocate for safer traffic measures to prevent similar incidents in the future.
