Driver ploughs into Telford house

An elderly driver escaped serious injury when she lost control of her car and ploughed into a house in Telford.

The crash happened in Saxon Court, Leegomery, at about 10.05am today, damaging an extension to the semi-detached home.

Sian Wolstenholme, 18, was in bed when the accident happened and feared something had exploded inside the house.

"I just heard a massive bang," said Miss Wolstenholme, who was the only person in the property. "I thought it was an explosion or the water tank that had fallen through the roof. I ran to the front window and looked outside. I went to the door and saw the elderly lady in the car.

"One of the witnesses had already called the emergency services. They said she came straight down the bank into the house."

Passers-by phoned the emergency services and the elderly woman was taken to the Princess Royal Hospital suffering from minor injuries.

Sian's mother, Carol Wolstenholme, who works at Princess Royal Hospital, said: "It could have been a lot worse. I'm sure the shock will come later on.

"I was at work when I received a phone call. I thought Sian had had an accident in the car, or my son, I didn't understand someone had crashed into this house."

A spokesman for Telford & Wrekin Council said: "The council's building control team has been out to the scene but has decided that although the garage conversion is damaged it is not structurally unsound."