A mother has told how she pushed a bone back into her broken wrist after a head-on smash in her desperation to save her daughter as she feared their car was on fire.

Joanne and Amy Alderson were involved in a terrifying two-car collision on the A68 at Spring Gardens, near West Auckland, at around 7.30pm on Sunday night.

They were heading south on the 60mph road when their red Honda Civic collided with a pizza delivery driver in a black Ford Fiesta travelling in the opposite direction.

The Northern Echo: The collision between the Honda and the Fiesta took place on the A68 near Toft Hill The collision between the Honda and the Fiesta took place on the A68 near Toft Hill (Image: Contributor)

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Joanne, 43, from nearby St Helen Auckland, said: “It was head-on so I knew I was going to hit him.

“When it all happened the airbags went off and I could smell smoke.

“When they deployed I realised I had broken my wrist so I shoved the bone back in and tried to get out of the car so I could get to my daughter because of the smoke.”

Amy, 19, who is student, was trapped in the car’s passenger seat and unable to free herself.

Joanne, who has three other children, said: “I didn’t manage to get to her. Amy was screaming and had her legs trapped.

“I was shouting ‘help’ and there were people running towards us.

“They grabbed me and I fell to the floor. I started going in and out of consciousness. I don’t really remember much after that.”

The Northern Echo: The collision happened on the A68 The collision happened on the A68 (Image: Contributor)

Amy’s feet were trapped beneath the back of the glove box.

She said: “I kind of slid under the seat belt and got stuck under the glove box.

“It was terrifying at the time.”

Joanne’s mobile phone was connected to the car and Amy was able to call her dad, Brian, 43, who raced to the scene from their home in St Helen Auckland.

He arrived within five minutes, ahead of the emergency services.

Brian said: “I was there before the police and ambulance got there because we only live around the corner.

“I went to my daughter first and asked ‘where’s your mam?’

“She was laid at the back of car, going in and out of consciousness.

“I was going between the two of them making sure they were ‘ok’ until help arrived.”

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Amy was cut free from the Honda by firefighters and the pair were taken to hospital for treatment by ambulance.  

The Northern Echo: Joanne broke her wrist in the crash Joanne broke her wrist in the crash (Image: Contributor)

Joanne was taken to Darlington Memorial Hospital for treatment for a broken wrist and rib as well as severe abdominal bruising.  

Amy also suffered bruising, a knee injury and a suspected broken ankle.

The incident is now under investigation by Durham Constabulary.

Joanne said: “We would like to thank the emergency services for everything they did and the other drivers who stopped to help.

“We know we have been lucky.”

The Northern Echo: The wreckage of the Alderson's new Honda Civic The wreckage of the Alderson's new Honda Civic (Image: Contributor)

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