A MOTHER has spoken of the ‘miraculous escape’ she and her two young children had after their car was hit by a vehicle being pursued by the police.

Amy McConnell, 30, was travelling back to her home in Francis Street, Blackburn, at around 7.40pm on Monday when her Peugeot 107 was hit by a Vauxhall Astra at the junction of Amberley Street and Peel Street.

Ms McConnell’s eight-year-old son Sebastian suffered a broken arm while she has bruises all over the body and cuts to her eyes. Her three-year-old daughter, Delilah, who was in the rear suffered bruising from her seatbelt.

A 26-year-old man from Blackburn was arrested on suspicion of causing serious injury by dangerous driving and was in custody yesterday.

Ms McConnell said: “It is a miracle that we managed to get out of that car at all. Looking at the car, it’s a miracle we weren’t killed.”

Ms McConnell described how the impact of the collision sent her vehicle on to the pavement and into the wall of a factory. Despite being in a state of shock she managed to get her daughter out of the car. Her eight-year-old son managed to free himself from the wreckage, despite the severe arm injury.

Ms McConnell said: “As I was trying to get my daughter out of the car I heard the police shout ‘get down. get down’. I looked around and saw the guy they were arresting.

“I got my little girl and I remember falling to the ground. The police were still arresting the guy. My son had to get himself out of the car.

“There were some amazing runners from the Couch to 5K group happened to be going past. They ran over and put jackets over us to keep us warm and comforted us. I was in so much pain so they held my children. My children were crying. My son has been left traumatised.

Ms McConnell criticised the time it took for an ambulance to arrive and said Sebastian didn't arrive at Royal Blackburn until 9pm. He remains there this afternoon.

Ms McConnell added: "I would like to thank the Couch to 5K group for everything they did for my family. They were amazing."

Ms McConnell criticised officers for breathalysing her in the hospital and also said her mother was not allowed to cross the cordon to comfort her grandchildren because it was a ‘crime scene’.

A police spokesman confirmed officers had been pursuing the Vauxhall Astra. The force is also referring itself to the Independent Police Complaints Commission.

The spokesman added: “When a collision occurs between vehicles, it is standard practice to carry out breathalyser tests on all parties involved. We appreciate the circumstances surrounding the investigation can be distressing and will continue to support the family. Following the collision we allocated a specially trained officer to support the woman and her children throughout the investigation and assist with their welfare.”

A spokesman for the ambulance service said: “We were called to reports of a road traffic collision in Amberley Street, Blackburn. We took one patient to Royal Blackburn Hospital with injuries to his arm. We got the call at 7.43pm. A rapid response vehicle was at the scene at 8.03pm and an ambulance arrived at 8.20pm.”