Bognor gas evacuation '˜could have been much worse'

Residents have spoken of their shock after being forced to evacuate their homes in the early hours when an out of control car created a trail of destruction.
Harry and Linda Poulastides' house 'took the brunt' of the damage from the out of control car. Picture by Eddie MitchellHarry and Linda Poulastides' house 'took the brunt' of the damage from the out of control car. Picture by Eddie Mitchell
Harry and Linda Poulastides' house 'took the brunt' of the damage from the out of control car. Picture by Eddie Mitchell

A green Ford Puma demolished a lamppost, telegraph pole and road sign before damaging at least three houses along Westloats Lane and then crashing into a parked car.

The incident happened at 1.55am this morning, Monday, April 11, and caused a gas main to rupture, meaning as many as 30 people had to be evacuated.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

They were taken to the nearby Felpham Leisure Centre, where they were forced to wait for several hours before they could return at around 5am.

The green Ford Puma involvedThe green Ford Puma involved
The green Ford Puma involved

The front of Harry and Linda Poulastides’ house was badly cracked, while gas and water spilled from outside meters.

Harry said: “I think we took the brunt of it, the whole front has been smashed in.

“I think the whole front will have to be rebuilt. But it could have been worse, luckily no one was hurt.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“We were asleep and my wife heard it. I looked out of the top window and thought at first it was just my fence down.

At least three houses along Westloats Lane were damaged, along with a parked carAt least three houses along Westloats Lane were damaged, along with a parked car
At least three houses along Westloats Lane were damaged, along with a parked car

“But then I went downstairs and couldn’t get out my front door because it was so bent.

“I managed to get out and my gas and water metre was completely gone. They were so badly damaged I couldn’t turn them off, water was pouring everywhere and the smell of gas was so strong.

“The police and fire brigade and ambulance turn up and they got everyone on our side out.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“These are all new homes, we’ve only lived here for 18 months.”

The damaged carThe damaged car
The damaged car

The family next-door also saw their gas and water meters completely destroyed, along with the paving stones outside their front door.

The owner described the sound of the bang as ‘like really loud thunder’ and said he had kept his four young children off school today because they were so tired.

Kay and William Sayer, who live in the next house along, saw damage to their car.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Kay said: “We had ambulance, fire engines, police, you name it, we had it.

Around 30 people had to be evacuated to Felpham Leisure Centre, where they stayed for several hours. Pictures by Eddie MitchellAround 30 people had to be evacuated to Felpham Leisure Centre, where they stayed for several hours. Pictures by Eddie Mitchell
Around 30 people had to be evacuated to Felpham Leisure Centre, where they stayed for several hours. Pictures by Eddie Mitchell

“The smell of gas was dreadful. We got evacuated to the corner of the street and the gas blew towards us, we all felt sick.

“We’re taking the car to the garage now but we think it’s a write off.

“There could have been lives lost, if it had been during the day I dread to think what would have happened.”

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Kay added: “The police were absolutely wonderful, I’m not sure what we would have done without them. And Felpham Leisure Centre called all their staff in to look after us.”

Seven houses were evacuated and had to wait until around 5am before they could return to their homes.

The driver of the car, a 19-year-old man from Walberton, was taken to St Richard’s Hospital in Chichester for treatment to injuries not believed to be serious and was kept in for observation overnight, police said.

Police stood down from the incident as the road was reopened at 6.35am.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Don’t miss out on all the latest breaking news where you live.

Here are four ways you can be sure you’ll be amongst the first to know what’s going on.

1) Make our website your homepage at www.bognor.co.uk/

2) Like our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/BognorRegisObserver

3) Follow us on Twitter @BogObserver

4) Register with us by clicking on ‘sign in’ (top right corner). You can then receive our daily newsletter AND add your point of view to stories that you read here.

And do share with your family and friends - so they don’t miss out!

The Bognor Observer - always the first with your local news.

Be part of it.

Related topics: