Burnley man's miraculous escape after car ploughs into his home

A pair of curtains could have saved the life of the owner of a house which was destroyed last night when a car ploughed into the side of it.
Tony Ross surveys the damage to his destroyed home after a car crashed into it.Tony Ross surveys the damage to his destroyed home after a car crashed into it.
Tony Ross surveys the damage to his destroyed home after a car crashed into it.

Tony Ross had popped to his next door neighbour's house to ask for help with hanging the curtains when the accident happened.

Just minutes earlier Tony could have been sat in the living room where the car ploughed into the property.

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A relieved Tony (59) said today: "I had gone to my neighbour's with the curtains as I didn't have the patience to sort them out.

The wreckage in the living room at the house in Accrington Road, Burnley, after a car crashed into it.The wreckage in the living room at the house in Accrington Road, Burnley, after a car crashed into it.
The wreckage in the living room at the house in Accrington Road, Burnley, after a car crashed into it.

"That probably saved my life because while I was there I heard this almighty bang.

"We ran outside to see what had happened and I realised the car had crashed into the side of my house.

"I couldn't take it in at first. There were people running everywhere and shouting and then I saw lots of police cars, it was mayhem."

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The vehicle ploughed through hedging and fencing surrounding Tony's end terraced house before demolishing patio doors leading to the lounge.

The gaping hole left in the side of the house after last night's dramatic crashThe gaping hole left in the side of the house after last night's dramatic crash
The gaping hole left in the side of the house after last night's dramatic crash

All the furniture, including a three piece suite and dining table and chairs were destroyed, along with a vintage 1950s brick fireplace.

Luckily, Tony's tank of around 30 tropical fish were saved from the impact of the crash by a vestibule door that flew off in the impact of the crash.

Tony said: "The door came off and came to rest in front of the tank so I think that saved them."

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Tony, a maintenance worker and keen gardener, has lived in the property for eight years.

He was today salvaging plants, trees and flowers he grows in his eco garden on land at the side of the house.

He said: "Luckily nothing was too badly damaged. I have apple and plum trees here and wildflowers and they are all thriving."

Tony, who also grows date trees from the seeds of the fruit, said he would like to thank people in the community who had come forward with offers of help.

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He said: "People have been so kind, coming round asking if I need anything and I am so grateful and would like to say thank you to everyone.

"Even people walking past have been asking if I am ok or need anything.

"I have to accept this has happened and it will be repaired and put right again."

Police said a BMW crashed into the side of the house following a collision with a taxi.

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The taxi driver had to be cut free by fire crews and was taken to Royal Blackburn Hospital, but has since been discharged.

A spokesman for Lancashire Fire and Rescue said: "Two fire engines from Blackburn and Nelson were called to a road traffic collision involving two vehicles on Accrington Road, Burnley.

"Firefighters used cutting equipment to release one person from one of the vehicles involved."

The road between Griffin and Florence Street was closed by police from around 9-45pm.

The police spokesman added: "Fortunately. no one was seriously injured.

"One man has been arrested."