Lucky escape after car crashes into barn in Whittle-le-Woods

5:30pm Tuesday 14th September 2010 in Whittle-le-Woods Photograph of the Author By Chris Gee, Reporter

DEMOLISHED: The MG-ZR embedded in the barn after the driver crashed through the outer wall DEMOLISHED: The MG-ZR embedded in the barn after the driver crashed through the outer wall

A TEENAGE driver escaped with minor injuries this morning when his car crashed through the wall of an historic stone barn.

The MG-ZR, driven by a 19-year-old man, smashed through the building in Chorley Old Road, opposite the Lord Nelson pub, Whittle-le-Woods, at around 1am.

The car is believed to have struck a lampost before hitting the barn which has stood in the village since the early 1900s.

Jason Maddock, 22, and his father Keith, landlord of the Lord Nelson, were first on the scene.

Jason said: “We heard a loud bang. At first we thought it was beer barrels falling but then we saw debris on the road.

“The driver had got out of the car and was staggering down the road.

"His face was covered in blood and he was obviously in shock.

“When I saw the wreckage of the car and then the damage caused I couldn’t believe anyone had survived.”

Police and paramedics attended the scene and the man was taken to Royal Preston Hospital for treatment.

The barn is owned by county council highways officer Simon Bromley, from Feniscowles.

He uses it to store a 2.5 ton USA army truck built in 1945 which he displays at shows.

He has also travelled to World War 2 memorial events in Normandy in the truck.

Remarkably, in his role as highways officer, the call was made to Mr Bromley to issue a road closure order, as the building was unsafe.

He said: “I got the call to close the roads and simply couldn’t believe it when they said it was my shed.

“In the end I’m just thankful that nobody was seriously hurt.

"It’s a very old building dating back to the early 1900s and the structure has been badly damaged.”

Several roads in Whittle-le-Woods remained closed throughout the day as contractors worked to make the building safe.

A police spokesman said that an investigation had been launched into the circumstances of the incident.

Comments (12)

8:56pm Tue 14 Sep 10

pip-pip says...

So early 1900's is 'historic'??
So early 1900's is 'historic'?? pip-pip

9:15pm Tue 14 Sep 10

avj says...

I live on Chorley Old Road and saw the car embedded in the wall this morning. I have seen the same car speeding down the road many times before. What is it going to take to stop people speeding down here? It's a 30 mph zone but people treat it like a racetrack. Thank God no one else was hurt. No doubt the driver will escape unpunished and continue to drive like an idiot until he kills someone.
I live on Chorley Old Road and saw the car embedded in the wall this morning. I have seen the same car speeding down the road many times before. What is it going to take to stop people speeding down here? It's a 30 mph zone but people treat it like a racetrack. Thank God no one else was hurt. No doubt the driver will escape unpunished and continue to drive like an idiot until he kills someone. avj

9:53pm Tue 14 Sep 10

pez63 says...

This is what happens when you put killing machines in the hands of children lets hope that the shock has saved a life.
This is what happens when you put killing machines in the hands of children lets hope that the shock has saved a life. pez63

11:21pm Tue 14 Sep 10

CliveE says...

it should be "a" historic,not "an" historic.
it should be "a" historic,not "an" historic. CliveE

12:21am Wed 15 Sep 10

JohnR1 says...

CliveE wrote:
it should be "a" historic,not "an" historic.
I would not be too sure if I were you. An hotel, an historic etc. is the correct English usage.
[quote][p][bold]CliveE[/bold] wrote: it should be "a" historic,not "an" historic.[/p][/quote]I would not be too sure if I were you. An hotel, an historic etc. is the correct English usage. JohnR1

2:04am Wed 15 Sep 10

pip-pip says...

JohnR1 wrote:
CliveE wrote:
it should be "a" historic,not "an" historic.
I would not be too sure if I were you. An hotel, an historic etc. is the correct English usage.
Perhaps we should start a Pedants Corner as in Private Eye. Mmm, should that be Pedant's or Pedants'???
[quote][p][bold]JohnR1[/bold] wrote: [quote][p][bold]CliveE[/bold] wrote: it should be "a" historic,not "an" historic.[/p][/quote]I would not be too sure if I were you. An hotel, an historic etc. is the correct English usage.[/p][/quote]Perhaps we should start a Pedants Corner as in Private Eye. Mmm, should that be Pedant's or Pedants'??? pip-pip

12:18pm Wed 15 Sep 10

brian jones says...

Having seen this moron driving around recently, I'm glad he's going to be off the road for at least a few days.
Having seen this moron driving around recently, I'm glad he's going to be off the road for at least a few days. brian jones

2:11pm Wed 15 Sep 10

Abu Qurfan says...

What kind of speed was the lunatic doing to cause that amount of damage? Also what the hell is a 19 year old doing driving an MG-ZR. The insurance for him, if he has any which I doubt, must be massive.
What kind of speed was the lunatic doing to cause that amount of damage? Also what the hell is a 19 year old doing driving an MG-ZR. The insurance for him, if he has any which I doubt, must be massive. Abu Qurfan

4:57pm Wed 15 Sep 10

GrumpyofClayton says...

Abu Qurfan wrote:
What kind of speed was the lunatic doing to cause that amount of damage? Also what the hell is a 19 year old doing driving an MG-ZR. The insurance for him, if he has any which I doubt, must be massive.
Certainly will be now!!!
[quote][p][bold]Abu Qurfan[/bold] wrote: What kind of speed was the lunatic doing to cause that amount of damage? Also what the hell is a 19 year old doing driving an MG-ZR. The insurance for him, if he has any which I doubt, must be massive.[/p][/quote]Certainly will be now!!! GrumpyofClayton

9:55pm Wed 15 Sep 10

**stevie** says...

people are so quick to judge in a situation such as this....yes he was stupid to be driving like he was and yes he must of been going rather fast but he isn't the first and he certainly won't be the last! And to say that he will probably do it again and keep doing it until he kills someone is a bit harsh considering he is recovering in a hospital bed right now knowing it is his own fault he is there! And who are we to jump to the conclusion that he had no insurance...you don't know that so why say it! Just put yourself in the shoes of his parents they are most likely worried sick about him not knowing whether to hit him for getting into this situation or hug him for still being alive, just think how you would feel if this was your child and then think how you would feel reading these comments about your son...yes he was stupid but everyone makes mistakes and hopefully he will learn from this one and never do it again and thank the lord no one else was hurt!
people are so quick to judge in a situation such as this....yes he was stupid to be driving like he was and yes he must of been going rather fast but he isn't the first and he certainly won't be the last! And to say that he will probably do it again and keep doing it until he kills someone is a bit harsh considering he is recovering in a hospital bed right now knowing it is his own fault he is there! And who are we to jump to the conclusion that he had no insurance...you don't know that so why say it! Just put yourself in the shoes of his parents they are most likely worried sick about him not knowing whether to hit him for getting into this situation or hug him for still being alive, just think how you would feel if this was your child and then think how you would feel reading these comments about your son...yes he was stupid but everyone makes mistakes and hopefully he will learn from this one and never do it again and thank the lord no one else was hurt! **stevie**

10:51pm Mon 27 Sep 10

mikefoster says...

brian jones wrote:
Having seen this moron driving around recently, I'm glad he's going to be off the road for at least a few days.
"Moron"? You're GLAD he's recovering in hospital from a mistake? We all make mistakes and i can assure you he has learnt his lesson.
[quote][p][bold]brian jones[/bold] wrote: Having seen this moron driving around recently, I'm glad he's going to be off the road for at least a few days.[/p][/quote]"Moron"? You're GLAD he's recovering in hospital from a mistake? We all make mistakes and i can assure you he has learnt his lesson. mikefoster

10:55pm Mon 27 Sep 10

mikefoster says...

Abu Qurfan wrote:
What kind of speed was the lunatic doing to cause that amount of damage? Also what the hell is a 19 year old doing driving an MG-ZR. The insurance for him, if he has any which I doubt, must be massive.
He Did have insurence thanks for yor comment, He works very hard for what he has got and this was almost tragic for all of us who know him, were so glad he is recovering. Keep things to your self Abu didint your mother teach you, if you've nothing nice to say dont say anything at all.
[quote][p][bold]Abu Qurfan[/bold] wrote: What kind of speed was the lunatic doing to cause that amount of damage? Also what the hell is a 19 year old doing driving an MG-ZR. The insurance for him, if he has any which I doubt, must be massive.[/p][/quote]He Did have insurence thanks for yor comment, He works very hard for what he has got and this was almost tragic for all of us who know him, were so glad he is recovering. Keep things to your self Abu didint your mother teach you, if you've nothing nice to say dont say anything at all. mikefoster

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