Moira and Raymond Hepplewhite were lucky to be in the living room on the other side of the house when the silver vehicle rammed into their property Thursday night. Firefighters rescued the driver from the wreck near Gateshead, Tyne and Wear.
Moira, 74, said, “We were both sitting in the lounge and she’s in the back of the bungalow. We didn’t know anything until that almighty sound, a bang, and then bricks flew and the wall came in.
“Luckily we were on the other side, so we’re both fine. It came in the bedroom and through the bathroom. We were very lucky.
“The computer is where the car came through and my husband is always at the computer.
“We are lucky that we are both safe, the condition of the house could be up to both of us. If I had been to the bathroom or my husband had been at the computer, it would have been much worse.”
Moira and her 76-year-old husband now have to wait anxiously because the building damage means that the vehicle cannot be removed until the house is supported.
Fortunately, they were able to stay with relatives for the time being, whose gas, electricity and water supplies have been cut off.
However, it could be several weeks before they are allowed to return to the property, which is on the rural outskirts of Gateshead.
Moira added, “It was amazing. I thought something had arrived on the roof. I can’t think clearly.
“We stay with the family, but our neighbors have all said that if we needed anything, they would accommodate us. It could be eight to twelve weeks before we can return.
“We’re going to concrete barriers in the garden so that if something happens again, it doesn’t come near the bungalow.
A Northumbria Police A spokesman said: “Just before 6pm last Thursday evening, police received a report that a car had crashed into a house in Forge Close, Gateshead.
“An ambulance service took care of the rescue of the woman from her car. No residents were injured and officials arranged for a structural assessment of the property. “
