Terror as lorry pushes car sideways along M1

A BASFORD couple have spoken of their terror after a lorry hit their car, pushing it sideways along the motorway at 50mph.

After a lorry crashed into the side of the Kia Picanto, it was turned 90 degrees on to the front of the HGV.

Their car was then pushed for at least 400 yards before a tyre exploded and the lorry pulled over.

Jack Sheldon, 69, said his face was inches from the radiator grille while the ordeal took place.

£5 MEAL DEAL AT THE SOUL KITCHEN LONG EATON*

The Soul Kitchen

View details

Print voucher

MEAL DEAL
Any Main+ Side with either a dumpling or coleslaw and soft drink for ONLY £5 with this voucher

Terms: *terms and conditions apply
Please quote website when calling

Contact: 0115 8962290

Valid until: Sunday, May 19 2013

He added: "I had seen the lorry for a mile on the motorway and he just turned into our lane.

"There wasn't a bang, but the car was just pushed round and we were helpless.

"I can't remember how long we were there for – I was just telling my wife Pat that we would be alright and then the tyre burst and the lorry must have noticed us and he slowed down.

"Looking back, it could have been so much worse. The car could have rolled over."

The couple, who have been married for 50 years, had only had the car for three weeks before the accident on the M1 on February 7 at around midday.

Mrs Sheldon, 68, said the pair are still happy to drive, but are more cautious about lorries now.

She added: "We keep on looking for the mirrors on the lorries and I feel a bit uneasy sometimes.

"Jack was so shaken up when it happened, he couldn't sign any paperwork, he was just shaking.

"We can smile about it now but if accidents like this can be prevented by lorries having more mirrors, then that's what should be done."

Nottingham North MP Graham Allen has called for extra mirrors to be added to HGVs to prevent blind spots.

Lorries older than five years only have to be fitted with two whereas newer models tend to have three.

He added: "I am disappointed that vehicles over five years old still will not need these mirrors which will eliminate this awful blind spot.

"The consequences to a cyclist caught in this death trap just don't bear thinking about.

"It would cost peanuts for fleet operators to fit proper mirrors according to the highest specification."