A TEENAGER has spoken of her amazing escape after being crushed by a car that ploughed into a telephone box as she made a call.

Jestine Fennessy is lucky to be alive after the accident outside her home in Evenwood Gate, near Bishop Auckland, County Durham, on Friday.

The 15-year-old escaped with a broken nose and a few scratches, despite having to be freed by firefighters from under the wreckage of an overturned Toyota car and the phone box.

It is believed the female driver of the car may have taken ill at the wheel, causing her to lose control. She has also been released from hospital.

Yesterday, Jestine spoke of the horror as she looked through the window of the telephone box to see a car hurtling through the air towards her.

She said: "I turned round and saw the car flying through the air. It came flying over the grass and started to turn in the air. I saw the headlights and turned away from it to try and run, but the glass from the phone box was in the way.

"I just heard the glass smash and the car landed on top of me.''

Jestine was taken by air ambulance to Middlesbrough's James Cook Memorial Hospital, where she was kept in overnight for observation.

But on Saturday, she attended an awards ceremony, in Bishop Auckland, where Strictly Come Dancing Stars presented her with a Latin dancing trophy.

She has also vowed to attend her work experience post at Ingleton Primary School today.

Mum Karen had been out shopping for the day and was given the news by neighbours when she got home shortly afterwards.

She said: "I was taken straight to the hospital by the police and when I got there, she was a bit hysterical but she just kept making jokes. She is just taking it all in her stride.''

Jestine's stepfather, Malcolm Dowson, said the accident has reinforced residents' arguments for a speed limit on the road.

He said: "We will be writing a letter to the MP for help.''