STROUD News and Journal columnist John Light had a lucky escape after his car plunged over the edge of a steep road in Nailsworth.

The former teacher was headed home after watching Forest Green’s triumph against Grimsby in a one nil win on Saturday.

John was driving up the W, a steep road which has a series of hairpin bends as it climbs from Nailsworth to Minchinhampton, when his clutch failed.

As he tried to get his Ford Focus moving, it came off the road, plunged downhill, and was stopped only by a tree.

Frightened, and with his leg trapped, John said a familiar voice broke into his thoughts.

‘Does your wife still like lobster?’ the voice said.

“It was a member of the fire service,” John explained. “She had been a waitress at William’s Kitchen in Nailsworth.

“For a time I would drive my wife Penny over there regularly and she would always have lobster.

“I was sitting there in the car, frightened by what had happened and what could have happened.

“But when she came along and said ‘does your wife still like lobster’ that totally relaxed me.”

John is full of praise for the emergency services, who freed his leg and took him to Gloucestershire Royal Hospital.

“They were outstanding,” he said. “I was X-rayed and back home by 10.30pm.

“The only injuries to me were to my right foot and ankle, but the injuries to the car were considerable. I don’t know as yet whether it is a write off.”

He added: “The accident happened at about 5.30pm.

“I had been driving home to a cup of tea and a special doughnut, chuffed that Forest Green had won.

“My wife had bought the doughnut for me in Cirencester market in the morning.

“I ate it the day after with some relish, pleased to be alive.”