By Graeme Strachan

A DUNDEE mum last night told how her car “burst into flames” and filled up with smoke after an accident while driving her son home from school.

Kerry Falconer had just picked son Lewis (9) up from primary school yesterday when her Ford Fiesta was involved in a collision with a van at the bottom of Liff Road at the junction with Kingsway West.

Although it was just a shunt, there was a loud bang and flames began raging from the car bonnet before smoke seeped into the driver compartment. It is thought the car engine or battery may have exploded.

Luckily, Kerry and Lewis were able got out of the car unscathed and raise the alarm.

A passer-by got a fire extinguisher from a garage nearby and tried to douse the flames.

Tayside Fire and Rescue attended around 3.35pm and extinguished the blaze.

“I couldn’t see for the sun—I was totally blinded by it,” said Kerry. “I was waiting for the van to pull out but went into the back of it. The car burst into flames—I think it was the odd way my car hit it.

“The front of the car blew out and the whole thing was filled with smoke.

“We got out and a passer-by got a fire extinguisher but it wasn’t going out.

“Luckily the fire brigade arrived and everyone’s got out OK.”

Traffic was reduced to a single lane while the emergency services dealt with the incident.

Luckily, the driver of the van involved in the accident with Kerry’s vehicle was also unhurt.

He was able to drive away once the emergency services had left the scene.

Lewis, who attends Liff Primary School, said, “All I can really remember is my mum looked back to see if there were any cars coming.

“The sun blinded her and she went into the van in front.

“I heard a bang and the car was on fire.”

Lewis said that far from being scared, he’d actually found the experience quite exciting.

The Ford Fiesta was later towed away from the scene and the road was fully operational again before 5pm.