An elderly Sidbury woman who was trapped in an overturned car has thanked those who came to her and her husband’s aid.

Anne and David Gibbons, who are both in their 80s, were driving along Fortescue Road, in Sidmouth at about 8pm on Wednesday, November 1.

The couple’s Nissan collided with a parked car and ended up on its side, leaving Anne trapped in the car.

Firefighters managed to free the pensioners, who escaped without any serious injuries and did not need to go to hospital.

Anne, who lives in Harcombe Lane with her husband, said: “It was very dramatic with police cars and sirens. An awful lot of people were not able to get past.

“The emergency services were very quick, the car was on its side and the trouble was getting us out.

“I did not realise that my husband was worried that the car might catch on fire – then the fire engine arrived.

“Lots of people had appeared with blankets and hot drinks.

“We just wanted to say thank you.

“The firefighters managed to get us both out and everybody was so kind.”

Anne said a paramedic who was on holiday had also come to their aid and was with them until the ambulance arrived and took over, along with a doctor who was on his way home from work and stopped to see if there was anything he could do.

Anne said she suffered some bruising and a cut to her leg while her husband needed an x-ray on his hand to see if any glass had got stuck in it.

Anne said: “They were just marvellous.

“Since we have been home, we have also had people come around with meals and flowers, we have been overwhelmed with kindness from people we do not even know who had heard about what happened.

“We are starting to get old now and people have been so good to us. I just wanted to say thank you.”