Pulled alive from wreck (From Stroud News and Journal)

Pulled alive from wreck

A YOUNG woman has told how she is lucky to be alive this week after cheating death in a 50mph crash on the busy A46.

Beauty therapist Candy Clark , 21, was pulled from the smoking wreckage of her Smart car after a collision with another driver at the Pitchcombe Junction last Tuesday.

Although she is still struggling to use her right arm and to walk, she was thanking her lucky stars she did not suffer more serious injuries.

"I am just pleased I am here - I am so lucky," she told the SNJ.

"I did not know what had happened. I just heard this horrific thud and I did not know if I was spinning or rolling or anything. I couldn't see.

"I think I blacked out for a couple of seconds. When the car stopped I could move my body but I couldn't move my legs.

"My car started to fill with smoke and a lovely lady threw open the door and dragged me out. She thought the car was going to blow up."

Candy, who runs Minky's Beauty Salon in King's Stanley, suffered whiplash and was left bruised and shaken, unable to use her right arm or walk properly.

The injuries are only thought to be temporary but Candy has had to close her business for the next two to three weeks.

She is convinced that the engine position in the Smart Car, where the engine is underneath the driver rather than in the bonnet, saved her life.

"The paramedic said it was the car that saved me because there is no engine in the front, so it stops the dashboard coming in," said Candy.

"If it had I would have been crushed."

Police spokesman Matt Ford added: "She was certainly lucky to get away with the injuries she did. It looks like they were relatively minor."

And a spokesman for Smart said: "It's good news that she survived this accident.

"Although the Smart Fortwo is one of the smallest cars on the road its unique crash management system makes it one of the safest in its class."

Despite her injuries, the plucky young woman who was featured in the SNJ recently as one of the county's youngest entrepreneurs, is still keen to get back at work as soon as possible.

"I am determined to get better," she said. "I have got a business to think of. And I am lucky to be alive."