Passenger in crashed car calls for improved safety at turn off to Kinloss from A96
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A FORRES woman involved in a recent car crash at a local junction is calling for the turn-off to be made safer.
The passenger – who wishes to remain anonymous – feels “immensely fortunate” after travelling from Elgin to Forres last Wednesday afternoon with her partner and a friend when their car collided with two in front at the turn off to The Loft near Kinloss from the A96.
She said: “I’ve seen and heard of a lot of accidents on that road - it’s well known to be dangerous. It was only the Sunday before that another motorist lost their life there. The A96 would benefit from being upgraded to a dual carriageway with slip road to make turn-offs safer.”
The trio’s car went into the back of another waiting behind another vehicle that was waiting to turn.
The passenger said: “The three of us had been chatting and my partner remembers seeing the back of the vehicle before we hit it. He is aware of maintaining a safe gap and uses a speed limiter. I heard him shout out then the airbag hit me and there was a crunching noise. I only realised what had happened when I looked up and saw the windscreen was shattered.”
She could see what she thought was smoke coming from the engine and tried to get out.
She said: “The door was stuck as the car had come off the road and the verge was blocking it. I thought there could be a fire and was just saying ‘I can’t get out I can’t get out!’ My partner didn’t move at first as he was in shock.”
Fortunately, an off duty police officer was able to get them away from the car.
The passenger said: “My chest hurt which triggered anxiety and I had to work to ground myself and my partner who was being really hard on himself. The three of us sat on the verge and waited for the paramedics.”
All three have seatbelt injuries, grazes, and mild whiplash. However, the paramedics checked them over and they were able to go home.
The passenger finished: “I think so many of the accidents on that road, including this one, would be avoidable if the road were fit for purpose.”
