The Toyota Townace involved in the accident is being put on a wrecker. - george henry

Four persons travelling in a Toyota Townace van along the Winston Jones Highway in Manchester, Monday, are now counting their blessings after they narrowly escaped being crushed to death by a huge crane along that thoroughfare.

The four, a student and three teachers from a Manchester school, were ascending the long hill towards Mandeville about 4:30 p.m., when the driver, Anna Haughton, spotted a huge crane descending the hill at a rapid pace.

Full speed,out of control

"I saw a crane coming down the hill full speed and out of control. The police were there trying to beckon to us to come out the road. By the time the police said to us, 'come out the road', I saw the crane going two-side the road; so I swerved in order not to hit the crane," explained Mrs Haughton.

She pointed out that she was still on her side of the road, but by the time she swerved her vehicle, it went further left and she was unable to control the van which got out of control, hit the embankment and overturned.

Haughton received several cuts on her right hand, which bled profusely. Another female teacher received a slight injury to her neck, while the other two passengers, one of whom is Haughton's son, escaped injuries. The damaged van was removed from the scene by a wrecker.

Cornelius Thompson, who was driving the crane, said he was glad to be alive. He said he was so shaken up that he did not want to speak about the accident.

VERY LUCKY

Persons on the scene said the passengers in the van and other users of the road were lucky to escape.

"Trust me brethren, the driver deserve a medal. That man a hero, because to control such a fast moving heavy duty vehicle which was all over the road and nobody don't get killed is a miracle.

Plenty people could have been killed," said a witness.

The Porus police are investigating the incident.