Sarah and Matt, who appeared on BBC's Escape to the Country seeking a fresh start after a devastating cycling accident, have faced a major setback: their current property has not yet sold, so they cannot make an offer on their dream home.
A Life-Changing Accident
The couple, who had been living in Berkshire, were searching for a new home in the Herefordshire countryside. Their plans were prompted by a horrific cycling accident in 2019, in which Matt was airlifted to hospital and spent a month in a coma after his arm was amputated.
With a budget of £650,000, they were looking for a modern or new-build property with at least three bedrooms, bathrooms on more than one floor, space for their camper van, and a strong sense of community.
Recalling the Crash
During the property search, presenter Sonali Shah joined them, and Matt opened up about the accident. He described cycling downhill in wet conditions when his bike lost grip. "I was coming down a hill, but it was raining, then it was dry, then it was raining. The roads were very greasy," he explained.
Matt said a cyclist behind him later told him that as he went around a bend, his bike "just went straight on," sending him into an oncoming car. The car was driven by a doctor, who was travelling with her daughter and son-in-law, also doctors. Their medical knowledge proved crucial.
As Matt tried to describe the aftermath, he became emotional. "And her son-in-law held my head up for an..." he began, before Sarah interjected: "An hour. So he turned down and Matt had stopped breathing and they knew. So most people would say don't touch someone, but he turned Matt straight away."
Finding a Potential New Beginning
After viewing several properties, one Victorian house seemed to offer the fresh start they hoped for. It featured double-aspect sitting rooms, four bedrooms, a half-acre garden, and an annex for their business. Priced at £650,000, it was within budget.
Standing in the garden, Matt reflected: "If I hadn't had the accident, we wouldn't be standing here in this garden, looking at this beautiful property." He added: "It's almost like however negative you feel, there is always a great positive to come and that's how it feels to me. From a bad, dark place I've been in, this is the brightest I've felt in a very long time."
Despite falling for the property, the couple's plans are on hold because they are still waiting to find a buyer for their Berkshire home. Escape to the Country is available to stream on BBC iPlayer.
