Pregnant car crash teacher’s baby is unhurt (From This Is Lancashire)

Pregnant car crash teacher’s baby is unhurt

7:52am Wednesday 2nd December 2009

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A FRENCH teacher who only survived a horror crash because she was in a left-hand drive car is four months pregnant, it has emerged.

Nadine Merciere, a 31-year-old teacher at Little Lever School, had to be cut from the wreckage of the car after being involved in a head-on crash.

She is already back home from hospital — and doctors believe her unborn child has come through the accident unhurt.

Last night her relieved husband, Fabian, said: “She has bruises everywhere on her body, but she’s been allowed back home.

“I’m very relieved because I thought she had died. They had to cut off the doors to get her out.

“I’m taking some time off work because she’s very tired and struggling to walk. I’d never forgive myself if she fell after coming through this.

“We have been told the baby is OK, but are due to see a nurse just to have some checks on the heartbeat.

“She is so very lucky to escape with just bruises. The car is written off, but I think the airbags and the left-hand drive helped her.

“She is very careful with the seatbelt and puts it very low and very high above her stomach. She has some big marks, but the baby is alive.”

The crash happened in Belmont Road, near Abbey Village, on Friday afternoon as she returned from work.

Her Renault Clio collided with a silver Peugeot 206 travelling in the opposite direction.

The police, ambulance and fire services were called to the crash on the notorious road at around 4.45pm.

It was feared Mrs Merciere had suffered serious injuries as she had to be cut out of the crumpled Clio by firefighters from Bolton. She taken to the Royal Blackburn Hospital by ambulance.

The couple have been living in East Lancashire for three years and had recently moved to the Rishton area.

Mr Merciere said the damage to the car has been estimated at £5,000, but he has had to buy a new one so he could be by his wife’s hospital bedside over the weekend.

Witnesses at the scene who stopped to help Mrs Merciere claimed the left-hand drive of the French car had saved her life. Police are investigating the incident.

* Andrew Hebson, aged 36, of St Mark's Road, Blackburn, appeared at Chorley Magistrates’ Court on Monday, charged with driving while disqualified, drink-driving, dangerous driving, possession of cannabis and criminal damage.

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