Edinburgh tourists pulled from wreckage of terrifying crash by hero bystander
A couple had to be pulled from the wreckage of a scary crash by a French tourist on the North Coast 500.[1][2]
Sarah Walters, 58, and her partner Jill O'Hara, 56, had picked up their motorhome from Edinburgh before setting off on the iconic route.
The pair were dragged to safety through the roof of the campervan after a car had driven towards them on the wrong side of the road prior to a head-on crash on September 20 near Pitlochry, the Daily Record reports.[3]
The impact of the 60mph smash left the motorhome flipped on its side and the road covered with shattered glass and debris with the tourist, from Leeds, trapped inside. Luckily, before paramedics arrived, a heroic French tourist broke through the sunroof and pulled the pair out.
Sarah and Jill were blue-lighted to Ninewells hospital but miraculously escaped the incident with no serious injuries. The other driver, who was an elderly woman, broke her elbow.
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A police probe into the crash is ongoing.
Sarah said: "It all happened in a split second. The other car was suddenly in front of us in our lane. I swerved to avoid it but it smashed into our campervan and we were turned onto our side. I was in total shock but conscious for the whole thing.
The couple were pulled out of the sun roof. (Image: Daily Record.)
"We were supposed to stay in Pitlochry that night and go for some dinner in Aberfeldy but ended up being rushed to hospital instead."
Queues of traffic began to build up on the popular A9 route and while waiting for emergency services to come people rushed from their cars to help - including an off duty police officer and doctor.
The damage to the front of the camper van. (Image: Daily Record.)
Sarah continued: "One of the first people on the scene was a French tourist who was with his wife. He didn't hesitate and came over and smashed the sunroof to help us escape. I don't know what would've happened if he did not save us.
"People came from their cars like a team of ants armed with blankets and water, rushing to help. I can't express how amazed and grateful we are.
The other car involved in the crash. (Image: Daily Record.)
"We are very battered and bruised and I couldn't move my neck for six hours before getting a CT scan in Dundee, but we are lucky to be alive.
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"We were released from hospital at midnight and went to the Malmaison in Dundee to recover - the staff were fantastic they even walked our dog because we couldn't. The kindness we were shown in Scotland really restored our faith in humanity.
"Even the campervan rental firm were amazing. It was Bunk Campers in Edinburgh and they were only interested in how we were and not the motorhome."
A spokesperson for Police Scotland said: " Enquiries remain ongoing."
References
- ^ tourist (www.edinburghlive.co.uk)
- ^ North Coast 500. (www.edinburghlive.co.uk)
- ^ Daily Record reports. (www.dailyrecord.co.uk)
- ^ Flight lands at Edinburgh Airport after 'mid-air emergency' before crossing Atlantic (www.edinburghlive.co.uk)
- ^ Edinburgh predator carried out 'violent and forceful' attacks as a teen (www.edinburghlive.co.uk)
- ^ Edinburgh Live's Whatsapp Community here (chat.whatsapp.com)
- ^ Edinburgh Live newsletters (www.edinburghlive.co.uk)