Home News North East News

Mum’s horror as sons trapped in runaway car

Mar 1 2009 by James Marley, Sunday Sun

Sacred Heart Primary School pupil Jay was strapped in the front, with his brother in the car seat in the back, as his mum nipped into the store.

Antonia, an administration and accounts worker with Castle Dene Construction, in Peterlee, said: “I left the kids, locked the doors and went into the shop and picked up flowers and a bottle of water.

“I was in there two minutes at the most, but when I came out my car was gone. I was thinking ‘Oh my God, where’s my car?’”

She said her first thoughts were that her car had been stolen with her children inside. But then she noticed a group of people gathered around the car down the hill.

“I ran, got to the car and got the kids out. I was in shock,” said Antonia.

“Jay kept saying ‘I’m sorry for wrecking your car’.

“But I told him ‘it’s not your fault it’s my fault, I shouldn’t have left you in the car by yourself’.

Stunned passers-by who had gone to help told Antonia how the car had flipped on to two wheels after hitting a kerb, but had amazingly avoided rolling over.

Police, firefighters and paramedics rushed to the scene but were not needed.

Red-faced Antonia said: “I’ve learned the hard way. The car could have hit a woman walking up the road or walking a buggy, it could have hit some kids.

“Thankfully, it only hit a fence and my kids are fine.”

Keep up to date with the news. Sign up for News Alerts

Have your say on the latest news and sport in our Forums