Barman relives terrifying taxi crash

4:42pm Tuesday 5th February 2008

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By David Watkinson »

A MAN has relived the horrific moment when the taxi he was travelling in with friends hit a stone wall in icy conditions.

Barman Grant Townsend, 20, suffered broken ribs and a dislocated shoulder as he attempted to protect his girlfriend Stephanie Dewhurst, 16, from the impact of the crash.

Their friends, Andrew Porosa, 23, and his partner Michaela Clitheroe, 18, were also in the taxi, which was ordered from Central Taxis in Accrington.

They suffered minor injuries.

Police said that the accident, near the Windmill pub in Mellor Brook at the weekend, saw the car spin off the road in wintry conditions.

They have now begun an invest-igation into how the taxi was driven, although no arrests have yet been made.

A police spokesman said the car, a Ford Galaxy which has three rows of seats, snapped a telegraph pole as it left the road while driving from Preston towards Blackburn.

The Galaxy then ploughed through a stone gatepost and wall before going through two fences.

The pals are now recovering from their injuries and all have undergone some hospital treatment. Grant, of Whalley Road, Clayton-le-Moors, said it was a miracle that no-one was more seriously hurt.

The group had been celebrating a friend's birthday in Preston before heading back to the Accrington area at around 2.30am on Saturday. Grant said: "The weather was really bad, it was snowing and we felt the conditions were dangerous."

He said the driver appeared to lose control as they came past the Windmill.

"It was a terrifying experience.

"The girls were screaming because we could see the car was headed straight at the stone wall.

"I threw myself over Stephanie. We tried to lay low and then we felt the impact." Grant is currently off work from his job as a barman at Bailey's in Church Street, Accrington.

He added: "After the accident I think I just got by on adrenaline. I just wanted to make sure that everyone else was okay. It was only later that the pain really kicked in."

Grant was treated at Royal Blackburn Hospital for his shoulder and rib injuries.

He also suffered knee and neck injuries.

Stephanie, of Ribbleton Drive, Accrington, a beauty worker at the Treatment Room in Railway Terrace, Blackburn, suffered whiplash and cuts and bruises.

Andrew suffered injuries to his arms and Michaela, who lives with Andrew in Lindadale Avenue, Accrington, hurt her neck and back.

Mohammed Ishaq, who runs Central Taxis, which provided the taxi, said: "I am very sorry that they were hurt and I wish them a very speedy recovery.

"My driver was injured in the crash as well but I have been assured that it was caused by the bad weather conditions and he was not driving recklessly."