A couple involved in a terrifying crash on the North Coast 500 were pulled to safety through the roof of their campervan.
Sarah Walters, 58, and her partner Jill O’Hara 56, had just finished a dream week doing the popular road trip in the rented van when a vehicle driving towards them on the wrong side of the road caused a head-on collision near Pitlochry on September 20.
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.
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.
“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, were raced from their cars to help – including an off duty police officer and doctor.
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.
“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.
“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.”
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