'If we weren't wearing seatbelts we'd be dead'
By Jo Deeks on Thursday, 22nd April 2004.
A COUPLE have spoken of their miraculous escape from a collision which left the elderly people in the other car fighting for their lives.
Shirley Lamb, 75, and husband Robert, 69, from Clare, were both in a critical condition at West Suffolk Hospital after having to be cut out of their Fiat Marea following the crash on the A1062 between Long Melford and Clare at around 1.45pm on Sunday.
Yesterday a spokesman for West Suffolk Hospital said their condition had improved overnight and both were now "stable".
Steve and Fiona Pilcher, of Chaplains Close, Haverhill, were in the other car involved and escaped with cuts and bruises.
Mrs Pilcher said they were lucky to be alive and very concerned about the condition of the elderly couple. They did not know the cause of the accident, which happened as they were travelling to Long Melford to watch their elder son Daniel play football.
Their younger son Sam was driving several cars behind them and rushed to help them out of their Isuzu Trooper, which ended up crushed into a fence.
"We don't know how it happened, I was just aware of an impact and then we were flying through the air, doing a 360 degree turn.
"If we did not have our seatbelts on and airbags fitted we would be dead. There was only a gap of about six inches between my door and the wall, but I managed to squeeze out.
"At first I said we are fine, see to them. We were both dazed after it happened. Steve gave his old address in Withersfield Road, where we lived 10 years ago. Then I got chest pains and ended up on a stretcher having x-rays. I did get some injuries from the seatbelt and airbag, but they did save our lives. ]
"I haven't been able to sleep for worrying about the elderly couple and hoping they will be OK," Mrs Pilcher said.
Anyone who witnessed the crash should contact PC Andrew Fossey on (01284) 774225.
Shirley Lamb, 75, and husband Robert, 69, from Clare, were both in a critical condition at West Suffolk Hospital after having to be cut out of their Fiat Marea following the crash on the A1062 between Long Melford and Clare at around 1.45pm on Sunday.
Yesterday a spokesman for West Suffolk Hospital said their condition had improved overnight and both were now "stable".
Steve and Fiona Pilcher, of Chaplains Close, Haverhill, were in the other car involved and escaped with cuts and bruises.
Mrs Pilcher said they were lucky to be alive and very concerned about the condition of the elderly couple. They did not know the cause of the accident, which happened as they were travelling to Long Melford to watch their elder son Daniel play football.
Their younger son Sam was driving several cars behind them and rushed to help them out of their Isuzu Trooper, which ended up crushed into a fence.
"We don't know how it happened, I was just aware of an impact and then we were flying through the air, doing a 360 degree turn.
"If we did not have our seatbelts on and airbags fitted we would be dead. There was only a gap of about six inches between my door and the wall, but I managed to squeeze out.
"At first I said we are fine, see to them. We were both dazed after it happened. Steve gave his old address in Withersfield Road, where we lived 10 years ago. Then I got chest pains and ended up on a stretcher having x-rays. I did get some injuries from the seatbelt and airbag, but they did save our lives. ]
"I haven't been able to sleep for worrying about the elderly couple and hoping they will be OK," Mrs Pilcher said.
Anyone who witnessed the crash should contact PC Andrew Fossey on (01284) 774225.
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