A woman has described being "violently propelled into an alternate reality" after her Audi was flung into the air, smashed into a house, and thrown a further 20 metres down the road. Annette Kaye, 62, suffered significant injuries in the collision at Kinninvie junction, near Barnard Castle, on October 13.
The crash survivor said her car hit the house at a height of four-to-five feet before coming to a stop about 20 metres away. "The impact, coming completely out of the blue, felt like being violently propelled into an alternate reality," she said.
Emergency response and injuries
Annette compared the incident to "being sucked into a different life and time," adding: "Instead of driving on to Darlington, my world had changed radically - I knew it immediately. It was like being in a sci-fi movie, being sucked into a vortex, or a time traveller being sucked into a different life and time."
Emergency services, including Durham Constabulary, North East Ambulance Service, County Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue Service, and Great North Air Ambulance Service, attended the scene. Annette sustained a fractured sacrum and a snapped humerus.
Her partner, Julian Maddock, was notified by officers and travelled to the scene from the couple's home in Middleton-in-Teesdale. He said: "It was horrific and I was in a lot of distress but I was very aware of everyone taking care of us. They were essentially having to dismantle the car and I was in shock but also conscious of all the emergency services working to help Annette."
Recovery and investigation
Annette was flown to James Cook University Hospital, where she underwent emergency surgery and spent a week in hospital. She is now recovering at home and thanked everyone who helped her, as well as the community who have rallied round. "I'm so grateful and I can't believe how lucky I've been. I feel lucky to be here and I want to thank everyone who has helped me," she said.
The driver of the BMW, a 35-year-old man, was not injured and remains under investigation. Annette is being supported by Durham Constabulary, including DC Katie Warren, who is leading the investigation. DC Warren said: "We are so pleased that Annette is recovering and making great progress at home. We will continue to support her and our investigation is ongoing into the circumstances of the collision. We'd also like to take this opportunity to remind all drivers to remain vigilant and drive with extra care especially when travelling on our rural roads."
