Crash, Bang, Wallop!

On Saturday, Liz, Rosie and I planned to go to a sale of babystuff in Norwich at the City Academy. Almost at our destination, we had to stop for temporary traffic lights at roadworks. Cars coming the other way were also stationary, for the regular lights at the junction.
Then there was a loud bang, on the offside of the car, by Rosie's car seat. She screamed and sobbed. Someone was trying to pass between the two queues. I looked across- my door was blocked, and I could not see in to the Honda [an automatic].

Liz got out and went to the driver's window, and found a very confused elderly lady, 'wanting to turn right', with every window of her car steamed up, no visibility at all. Liz explained what had happened and said she needed to wait and then when there was a space the cars must be moved.
Liz stepped back to take this photo - and the poor confused soul suddenly took her foot of the brake and drove the car at Liz. It was slightly terrifying to see someone apparently driving straight at my daughter, whilst my granddaughter was sobbing in her car seat! Liz jumped out of the way - the car careered into three other vehicles ending up across the road, slamming into a Renault in the other queue.
Downside

• we had to spend over an hour and a half in the pouring rain, exchanging details, waiting for police etc, and 5 cars are pretty badly damaged. 

Positives

• in the two cars in front there were First Aiders, who assessed the woman [physically unhurt] and gently helped her to sit and wait in another car, whilst her own car was moved to the verge. And the ambulance arrived promptly, and paramedics agreed she needed to be hospitalised.
• everyone was incredibly kind, three people came forward, prepared to be witnesses if needed
• nobody got into a Road Rage situation, or went and shouted at the old lady
• people were so concerned for Liz's wellbeing
• the Police were excellent, efficient and sensitive
• despite damage, my car was perfectly drivable, apart from smashed wing mirror 

Humour

Yes there was some! As we stood in the pouring rain exchanging details and answering police questions, a chap had a call from his wife, telling him to avoid the area because there had been a bad crash. 

Afterwards Liz, Rosie and I went to the nearby Waitrose for a hot drink, and the woman behind me was talking to her husband. She was hoping nobody had been hurt in what had clearly caused a lot of traffic disruption. I turned round and said 'nobody hurt, but the elderly driver was taken to hospital' She asked how I knew, and I said "Mine was the first car hit!" at which point she nearly dropped her tea tray.

And for the first time in over 40 years of driving, I was breathalysed! [The reading was ZERO] I thought Liz would photo that, but she said she was being considerate. There was me thinking I could post it on the UCF Facebook page "Pastor's wife breathalysed in Norwich". When I told the officer that it was my first experience of this test, he said "Oh, do you want to keep the tube?" Now I am trying to find something else to do with this piece of'single use plastic'

I am so grateful for my family

• Liz, for leaping out of the way [I am so proud of the way she handled the whole situation]
• Rosie, for remaining cheerful, clearly enjoying the pretty flashing lights!
• Jon, for getting a new wing mirror from Halfords so I was OK for the drive back to Dorset
• Adrian and Marion, I had a lovely time, and great meal with them in the evening
• Bob, who sent me necessary insurance contact details [thanks James-at-Aviva for being helpful on the phone] 
• Steph and Gary for encouraging text messages

It could all have been so much worse...now we just have the hassle of the insurance claim and organising repairs. I do hope the old lady is OK - I suspect she will not be driving again.