A young family's world was shattered in a matter of seconds when a car lost control and ploughed into their home, leaving them traumatised and homeless just two days into the new year.
A Terrifying Bang That Changed Everything
Paige Amber, 32, was relaxing with her partner Joe, 40, and her two children, including a 10-month-old baby, on the evening of January 2. The family, from Capthorne in West Sussex, had just finished a meal and were watching television when their evening was violently interrupted.
At approximately 7:25pm, a loud bang, which Paige described as sounding "like a bomb had just gone off," echoed through their housing association property. A Ford Fiesta had veered off the road, smashing into the house in what she estimates was three horrifying seconds. The impact severely damaged the gas supply and the electricity box.
"Parts of my house flew across the room into pieces," Paige recalled, fighting back tears. "We are just seeing this massive hole in my house." Her partner ran outside while she was left screaming. Her infant son woke up crying from the noise, and her 10-year-old daughter and a friend were left in hysterics.
Fleeing to a 'Nightmare' Temporary Room
Fearing a collapse, the petrified family was forced to flee their newbuild home immediately, leaving all their belongings behind. They have been living in a single, windowless room at a Travelodge ever since the incident.
"Our home, the place where my children should feel protected, was destroyed in seconds," Paige wrote on a GoFundMe page set up to support the family. "Our sense of safety was ripped away forever."
Contrasting their comfortable home of five years with their current situation, she said: "We have been here nearly two weeks and it is just an absolute nightmare. There is hardly any room, we are all in one box room all four of us."
The Long Road to Recovery
First responders and utility engineers attended the scene to make it safe. While no one was physically injured, the emotional trauma runs deep. The damage to the property is estimated at £30,000 and repairs could take up to four months before the house is liveable again.
Paige, a full-time mother, and Joe, a delivery driver, are now facing immense financial strain. They have no cooking facilities and are spending an "extortionate" amount on daily takeaways. Paige has also had to pay for WiFi at the hotel, leaving her "completely penniless."
To make matters worse, their youngest child was recently hospitalised with a chest infection, and Paige fears his health will deteriorate further if they are not moved from the cramped Travelodge soon. Their housing association is attempting to find them an Airbnb, but the process has been slow.
"I feel like I have aged 10 years in the last two weeks," Paige admitted. "I am massively struggling. One minute I am okay, then I am crying."
After initially seeking help from a food bank, the family started a GoFundMe fundraiser to cover essentials like clothing, food, and temporary living costs as they try to rebuild their lives from scratch. "Even sharing this page means more than you know," Paige wrote.
Sussex Police have been contacted for comment regarding the crash.
