A motorist has thanked bystanders that rushed to her aid after a terrifying head-on collision in St Michaels.
Mhairi Ferrol has been told she is lucky to be alive after a smash on the Fife A919 route saw two people taken to hospital.
The 58-year-old was heading towards Dundee to take her passenger to Ninewells Hospital for an appointment before the crash last Wednesday.
Speaking to The Courier, St Andrews Links employee Mhairi described how she and her companion manage to flee her Mercedes SLK before it burst into flames.
‘Escape via the passenger door’
She added: “It happened just before 8am as we were en route to Dundee and the other car was coming in the opposing direction.
“After the incident, the car literally went up [in flames] in minutes. We had to escape via the passenger door as the driver’s side was jammed.
“The car was smoking at that point and I knew we had to get out quickly.
“There were a few bangs [small explosions] coming from the car after we got out.
“In the aftermath there was big clouds of black smoke. There was literally nothing left of my car — you could just see the boot.
“As the fire was taking hold I think that sped-up the process of trying to get the other man out of his vehicle.
“There was a young guy in camouflage who I’m guessing was in the army and on his way to Leuchars.
“He seemed to be taking charge in getting the other passenger out.
“It does restore your faith in humanity that so many people rushed to help. The folk that assisted were absolute angels.
“So many motorists tried to help on the day and a woman from a nearby house was offering cups of tea.
“There was a teacher from Morgan Academy en route to work who also helped. I counted maybe 10 to 15 people.”
‘What might have happened’
Whilst the St Monans resident and her passenger came out of the incident relatively unscathed, the car’s condition left many fearing what could have happened.
She added: “Other people look at the car and say ‘you’re lucky to be alive’.
“We do obviously know that but I think because we had to react so quickly to what unfolded, we are still shocked by the events.
“It runs through your mind what might have happened but it also didn’t happen.
“I suffered a broken wrist but we are both going to be fine in time.
“Both myself and my passenger can’t thank those bystanders and emergency services workers enough for their efforts on the days.”
A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “A 24-year-old man will be subject of a report to the PF [Procurator Fiscal] in connection with alleged road traffic offences.”
