A former professional boxer claims he is “lucky to be alive” after rolling his car off the road into a field.
Robert Newbiggin was out teaching boxing at a gym in Chorley and while driving down Lydiate Lane in Eccleston he claimed to have been forced to punch when a car swerved onto his side of the road.
The 57-year-old, who has lived most of his life in Southport after being born in America, claims he was struck, turning his steering wheel all the way to the left, which caused his car to swerve off the road and into a field had been .
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The driver who turned onto his side of the road is said to have walked away from the scene and Robert was taken to hospital.
He says he suffered a concussion and he’s grateful it’s the worst he’s suffered.
Robert told ECHO: “He came straight at me. He was just in a small car and I was in my big BMW X5. I misjudged because I didn’t just brake, which would have thrown me into this car.” turn my steering wheel all the way to the left to swerve and brake.
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“I was going from 40 to 0 mph and my car didn’t like it. It literally blew up. It drove along the hedge, took out at least 15 feet of hedge, then it must have hit something in a hedge and, from what people have told me, it flew at least 12 feet in the air before hurtling into the field.
“The whole windshield came out and was thrown out of the car. I can remember a bit of being upside down, but apparently the car was upside down twice. The most frightening thing was that someone could have died on the passenger side if the roof was pushed in on the headrest further than the headrest is.
“I was more upset if my daughter was in the car. I thought I was going to bleed when I first came to, but it was actually the windshield washer because my windshield wasn’t there.
Robert Newbiggin’s car after an RTC in Lydiate Lane, Eccleston
(Image: Rob Newbiggin)
“The key was in the ignition and there was a smell of petrol, so people were trying to get me out because the seat belt was holding me down. I hit my head without realizing it.
“You don’t think the knock actually knocked me out, more the shock. I was wearing my seat belt, but it was torn. It was down to the last fiber. There’s no way I should be alive. It’s crazy. The person who caused it drove away.”
Robert also had a message for himself and other drivers.
“A message to myself and all other drivers is to always expect the unexpected. It also shows that even though my car is a fast and powerful car and all the things that the car has, none of it caused my accident.” . I wasn’t speeding, I was careful.”
Lancashire Police confirmed the accident but refused to provide any information as it was a “damages only” RTC.
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