Teenagers lucky to be alive after being hit by car and dragged along icy road (From The Northern Echo)

Teenagers lucky to be alive after being hit by car and dragged along icy road

8:00am Tuesday 7th February 2012 in Traffic & Transport News By Dani Webb, Chief Reporter (South Durham)

THREE teenagers had a lucky escape after being being hit by a car and dragged along an icy road for more than 40 metres after the driver lost control in heavy snow.

The 34-year-old woman driver struck the trio after her blue Ford Fiesta mounted the footpath as she lost control after trying to slow down on a steep bank.

The three teenagers were dragged alongside the car and on the bonnet for about 40 metres on Eldon Bank, in the village of Eldon, near Bishop Auckland.

Police said they managed to get clear moments before the Fiesta smashed into a parked Vauxhall Insignia, which in turn smashed forward into a Peugeot 807 parked next to it.

The Ford Fiesta carried on until it finally crashed into metal fencing and the wall of a house in Eldon Bank.

The incident happened at about 5.30pm on Saturday, as the region was being blasted by wintry storms.

The three teenagers, who are all from the Eldon area, were taken to Darlington Memorial Hospital for treatment.

Most seriously hurt was a 19-year-old who suffered injuries to both legs, hips and his pelvis. He underwent surgery and has now been transferred to an intensive therapy unit for further treatment.

The other two, both aged 18, suffered broken legs and have also undergone surgery.

The driver of the Ford Fiesta was unhurt. The two other parked cars were unnoccupied.

The garden wall and front gate of the house in Eldon Bank collapsed and some plants were also damaged.

Police said road conditions were extremely icy as a result of heavy snowfall around the time of the accident.

The road was closed for nearly three hours, between 6pm and 8.50pm, while police investigated the scene and the damaged vehicles were removed.

Witnesses are asked to call Durham Police’s collision investigation unit on 0191-375- 2159.

*If you were one of those injured in the accident call our newsdesk on 01325 505068.