Brave Gran Saves Toddler (From Stroud News and Journal)

Brave Gran Saves Toddler

A TODDLER had a narrow escape when a car crashed through a garden fence in Cashes Green on Monday.

Little James Timms, 17-months was playing in the garden of his grandparent's home in Hyett Road when the Fiesta driven by an elderly woman ploughed through the garden and hit a tree.

His quick-thinking grandmother, Mrs Carol Deane who had been playing with James and her pet dog snatched the youngster out of the path of the vehicle.

The 81-year-old woman driver later died in Gloucestershire Royal hospital and her female passenger was released after treatment at Stroud General Hospital.

Mrs Deane who was still shaken by the incident yesterday told the SNJ: "It was about 4pm and James was playing with a ball in the garden when I heard this loud crack and saw a car coming through the hedge.

"James was right next to it.I just grabbed him as quick as I could and it missed him by inches.It was very, very, frightening."

Now Mrs Deane and her husband Robin would like the council to provide a more sturdy fence or crash barrier to protect her property.

She said: "It really was an accident waiting to happen. This is a dangerous and busy road and all we have is a flimsy wooden fence. Really you should be able to feel safe in your own garden."

Mr Deane said the impact had sent wooden posts flying through the air. "They could easily have hit James," he said.

And he added that the Fiesta was not the first vehicle to hit the fence. He said a car had crashed into his next door neighbour's garden previously and local people said there had been seven others incidents over the years.

"There is only one road out of the area so all traffic has to come over the bridge by our house," he said.

Mr Deane contacted the county council highways department three years ago but was told nothing could be done unless the police or the district council made a complaint.

Now he would like to see a motorway-style barrier around his garden. He said: "I have six grandchildren and now we're too scared to let them outside.

"My wife is always going to be looking over her shoulder." John Roberts, Stroud highways divisional operations manager, said a reinforced barrier would not be put up.

* For full story see this week's SNJ