Miracle as dog survives horror 70mph Mercedes crash on M25 – one item in car saved its life

This cute spaniel[1] survived a high-speed car crash[2] on the M25[3] – which wrote off the owner’s Mercedes-Benz[4].

Hayley Schofield credited a £500 crate, called a TransK9 cage, for stopping her dog Mitch from coming to serious harm following the impact on the anti-clockwise London Orbital.

Hayley was driving at around 70mph when her Mercedes-Benz C180 hit a van by junction 2 for the A2 near Dartford, Kent. Photographs show the crumpled back of her vehicle, which was written off. Describing how she almost passed out after climbing out of the wreckage, Hayley, 28, said: “It was raining and the overhead bollards were saying 50mph so everyone was slowing down.

“I heard a massive beep. [The crash] was awful, I’m not a dramatic person but I thought the worst. My spaniel Mitch comes to work with me on a school farm. My first thought was for Mitch. I climbed out of the car and someone said I almost collapsed where I was in shock. When I saw Mitch in the back I felt relief.”




Dad and daughter, 2, both die in Father’s Day crash – but chilling note on computer reveals the truth[5]
Mitch, the spaniel, was saved - because of a £500 crate, Hayley says
Mitch, the spaniel, was saved – because of a £500 crate, Hayley says (
Hayley Schofield / SWNS)

Hayley, from Dartford, thankfully suffered only minor injuries and believes the TransK9 crate she bought for Mitch five years ago is the reason he is alive. The crash-tested crates come with a hefty price tag of about £500.

But Hayley hopes sharing her story will encourage more pet owners to consider buying one for their pet’s safety. She said: “It is so common for people to put their dogs[6] in the boot. If there isn’t legislation about it, I think there should be.

“You can get the crates in different sizes for each car. They are expensive but my dog travels with me quite a lot so what price do you put on their safety? There are lots of different brands that sell them, some cheaper than others and you can even get them second hand. I’ve had the crate for five years and you never think you’ll need it, but I’m so glad I had it.”

Kent Police[7] were called to the scene – where two people were reported to have suffered injuries – shortly after 1.30pm on April 3, with highways officers and paramedics also in attendance.

References

  1. ^ spaniel (www.mirror.co.uk)
  2. ^ car crash (www.mirror.co.uk)
  3. ^ M25 (www.mirror.co.uk)
  4. ^ Mercedes-Benz (www.mirror.co.uk)
  5. ^ Dad and daughter, 2, both die in Father’s Day crash – but chilling note on computer reveals the truth (www.mirror.co.uk)
  6. ^ dogs (www.mirror.co.uk)
  7. ^ Kent Police (www.mirror.co.uk)

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