Mum forces family to get out of their broken-down car – minutes before lorry ploughs into it
Ashley Falvey, 32, hopes that pictures of the accident near Grimsby will show road users how dangerous it can be to stay in a car when it has broken down on the motorway
A MUM saved her family from a fatal crash by forcing them to get out of their broken-down car just minutes before a lorry crashed into it.
Ashley Falvey, from Stallingborough, North East Lincolnshire, moved her family to a grass verge beside the busy motorway after her mum's car slowed down to a stop on the A180 near Grimsby.
The mum-of-one said her family were "traumatised" and watched in horror as a lorry smashed into their car and sent it "flying" towards them within minutes of them getting out.
The family's blue Suzuki Jimny was written off in the crash but thankfully all of the family were unscathed.
Two cars were thrown off the lorry's trailer on to the road causing debris to be scattered over both lanes.
Unbelievably the lorry driver suffered only minor injuries in the horrific collision.
Humberside Police said the collision could have been "so much worse" if Ashley hadn't moved her family to safety.
Ashley, 32, was on a family day out with her daughter Angel, 8, brother Harvey, 11, and mum Tina, 50, when the terrifying incident occurred.
Ashley shared her story and pictures of the accident on Facebook.
She wrote: “I experienced one of the most traumatic days of my life to date.
"We were going on a family day out when my mum's car started to go funny on the motorway.
“It started to slow down until it eventually came to a stop. Straight away, I knew we were in a very dangerous situation. I said to my mum - we need to get out of this car now.
“We climbed the grass verge and called the AA and the police to inform them how dangerous the car's position was.
“A car transporter went into my mum’s car sending it flying in the air and towards us.
“Had we not got out of the car or even been stood near it - I don't think we would be here today.
“The police said many people wait in their cars and I wanted to post this to just tell everyone to always get out of the car and well away - a life is worth
more than any bit of metal.”
Ashley' post has been shared over 2,100 times since she uploaded it last Wednesday.
Social media users were quick to thank Ashley for raising awareness despite how traumatising this incident was for her.
Sarah Custus wrote: “Glad your family is all ok and safe. Like you say metal is replaceable but a life isn’t. Ignore the judgemental people you will always get them."
Lyndsay Howden said: “You did amazing and saved your family's life, as this could have been a very different story. I am a blue light worker and your heart always sinks."
Paul Reason added: “Glad people are listening. Telling this to people for years it should be made common knowledge and part of learning to drive. Basic training.”
Speaking today, Ashley said: “The more people this reaches about how dangerous it can be to stay in a broken down car the better.
“I was sat in the back with my daughter and I could see how close the lorries were coming near to the car and I said that we needed to get out of the car straight away.”
Chief Inspector Mark Bishop, of Humberside Police’s Special Operation Unit, said: “This collision could have been so much worse if the driver had not got out of the vehicle and waited safety at the top of the grass verge.
“The driver of the car-transporter suffered minor injuries and will make a full recovery.
“It is so important to remember the advice to get out and away from your vehicle if you breakdown.”
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