Dingwall woman describes how a drive home from the shops ended with car becoming a fireball
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Some last minute Christmas shopping ended in fire terror for a Dingwall woman and her friend.
Mother-of-two Suzanne Mackay said she drove with Charlotte Towell to Inverness for bits and pieces and a dress for her daughter's social, and despite being recently checked over, the Kia Sedona seemed a bit sluggish on the way.
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Suzanne said: "On our way back over the Kessock Bridge again the car went a little sluggish but I was able to sustain speed and not hold anyone up.
"I thought I would maybe swap cars with husband James who works in Munlochy however just before the Munlochy junction the car completely died in the outside lane.
"I put hazard lights on immediately and safely crossed into the slower lane desperately seeking somewhere to stop safely.
"The Sedona is a big heavy car so with no power, therefore no power steering, it was challenging but that’s when I also noticed it was on fire.
"My thoughts were racing... I didn’t want to panic my best friend but thought we have to stop without putting anyone else in danger.
"Thankfully at this point I noticed the farm slip road and was willing the car to make it there, and it did, just and no more!
"Thankfully all four wheels were off the main road. It did not have enough power or speed for me to get it up onto verge so we were very fortunate the farm slip road was there.
"We both feel our late mums were watching over us. I told Charlotte to get out quickly. She got out and screamed the car was on fire. I knew it was on fire I just hadn’t want to panic her any more while we were on road.
"It was scary enough not having any power, then it was showing smoke from the bonnet.
"I felt I had no choice but to try my best to get it off a busy dual carriageway as it could have caused catastrophic damage if someone crashed into us at those speeds or even just being on fire in middle of a fast road.
"I slid across her side and jumped out the passenger side. This all happened so quickly yet felt we were in slow motion."
Suzanne said a "kind stranger" then pulled up, who turned out to be Gavin Kelt from Ravenhill Farm.
She added: "He said he thought the car might blow up and we needed to get as far back as possible.
"Next thing we knew the car was engulfed and we heard a loud bang. I think at this point I had a panic attack. I could not breathe with my thoughts racing about what might have happened to passing cars or what if we hadn’t made it or Charlotte was seriously injured.
"Charlotte was amazing and calmed me as did an off duty paramedic who stopped. We were so grateful for the kindness of strangers. Had Gavin not pulled back his pick-up and stopped the traffic I dread to think what could have happened.
I don’t think I stopped shaking all that night and both Charlotte and I were sick with shock and neither slept. She came over to mine next day to check up on me and for us to really have a good cry together and just be so thankful we were so lucky.
"We just feel blessed to be alive as fully appreciate it could have been so much worse. It just shows everyone how unexpectedly these things can happen."
