WATCH: CCTV footage shows terrifying moment 28 tonne Derry council lorry crashes into woman's car

By Alan Healy

Deputy Editor

THE partner of a woman who had to be cut free from her car after a 28 tonne council lorry ploughed into the vehicle has said she is ‘lucky to be alive’.

The collision happened earlier this month on Friday, January 12, at the Melmount Road, Sion Mills, Strabane. Details of the crash were first reported by the Derry News last Thursday.

The incident, which was caught on CCTV, (picture shown here), saw a council refuse lorry crash into the back of Renault Captur which was being driven by Jacqueline Crumlish.

She had been waiting to turn right into a Spar store when the lorry careered into the back of the vehicle, shunting it forward, narrowly missing an oncoming vehicle.

Such was the impact of the crash that the car seat headrest broke off after Ms Crumlish’s head was snapped backwards.

Firefighters then used hydraulic cutting equipment to free her from the vehicle.

She was taken to Altnagelvin Hopsital for treatment to her injuries.

Speaking to the Derry News, Ms Crumlish’s partner, Cody Reddie said that she was ‘lucky to be alive’.

“The CCTV footage is horrendous,” he told the Derry News.

“When you see just how close Jacqueline was to crashing into the oncoming vehicle, you realise just how lucky she is to still be alive.”

He added: “It’s hard to believe that nothing was broken, but she has injuries all over, including lumps both on the back and front of her head because the force of the impact resulted in her breaking the headrest off.”

A spokesperson for Derry City and Strabane District Council said that the incident is currently being investigated by both the PSNI and council.