Lucky escape as truck hits home

From the Bridport and Lyme Regis News, first published Friday 23rd Jun 2006.

A LYME Regis pensioner had a lucky escape when a runaway truck crashed into the front of his house - just feet from where he was sitting.

The force of the impact sent a heavyweight grandfather clock flying across the lounge and caused major structural damage to the Grade 2 listed building in Silver Street.

Now James Bragg and his wife, Rosemary, are facing a bill for thousands of pounds to repair the damage to their home - Dove Inn Cottage - just days after moving in.

The accident happened on Friday when a flatbed truck carrying a container full of liquid concrete rolled away after being left parked outside the library opposite.

Said Mr Bragg: "I was sitting right by my window when there was this almighty crash and the grandfather clock toppled over next to me.

"Apparently, the vehicle's brakes had failed. Now they say they will have to take down some if not all of the front of our house to carry out repairs."

Mrs Bragg said she was thankful no one was injured or killed.

"It was just a blessing - you can imagine the number of elderly people who are going up and down here all the time," she said.

Although the couple have owned Dove Inn Cottage as a second home for many years they only recently decided to leave Maidenhead and make it their permanent residence, moving in a fortnight ago.

Mr Bragg's family used to run Braggs Stores in Lyme and his mother bought the cottage - the town's former Dove Inn - in 1920.

Mr Bragg worked in the petroleum industry before retiring and is now a volunteer with the Patient Forums.

Mrs Bragg is a non-stipendiary priest who is set to join the Golden Cap team ministry.

The couple said they were overwhelmed by the help and support locals had given them since the accident, singling out for special praise architect John Evans, builder Fred Wiscombe and painter-decorator Steve Wiscombe.

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