UK NEWS
FATHER AND BABY IN MIRACLE ESCAPE WHEN THEIR CAR IS SPEARED BY A LOG
Farkas Deak and his family
Saturday November 29,2008
By Rod Mills
A father and his baby son were inches from death after their car skidded off the road and ended up impaled on a tree.
The 6ft section of log stopped just short of hitting IT worker Farkas Deak and 16-month-old Benedict, who was in the back of the Toyota Avensis in a baby chair.
Miraculously, both escaped with only minor cuts and bruises.
Yesterday, Mr Deak, from Gourock, said he could not believe he had survived the ordeal which happened on the A78 near Greenock’s IBM plant: “It was icy, and I felt my tyres slipping.,” he saidL: “ I managed to correct it, but then the car slipped again and we ended up spinning.
“We slid off the road and went into the woods. It was absolutely terrifying.
“Then there was a hard thud and we stopped moving. I was in shock, I was not even sure if I was still alive.
“Then I felt something coming in at my feet and I looked back at my son.
“I could hear him crying and I was relieved because I knew he was alive.
“I think a guardian angel was looking over us, because I do not know how we survived.”
Seconds later he realised how close he had been to being impaled on the giant log that had punctured his car.
And he said it could have been a triple tragedy because his wife, Vera, 29, would have normally been on the trip with him, but was feeling unwell that day.
He said: “I tried to move my leg at the pedals and there was something pressing on my foot, which was very painful.
“It was the piece of tree which had smashed through the side of my car on the passenger side. If Vera had been there, I don’t know if she would have survived.
“I was worried my foot would become swollen so I managed to pull my leg from my shoes.
“It wasn’t until I saw the pictures of the car later I realised how lucky I am to be alive.”
His vehicle was written of because the damage was so serious.
His relieved wife, Vera, said: “I don’t know how he made it without being seriously injured.”
He only had a chip off his heel and bruises here and there.
“To think I could have been in the car as well is terrifying.
“My husband and son could have died. They had a really lucky escape.”
Two ambulance crews and police were called to the scene of the accident on Tuesday morning.
A Strathclyde Police spokesman said: “It was a very close shave, and we are relieved Mr Deak and his son escaped uninjured.”
