‘There were blue flashing lights everywhere’: Residents on late night evacuation

Frogmore Lane resident Coral was one of several residents in Nursling forced to evacuate on Saturday evening after a Mercedes ploughed through a fence and into the side of the home, causing “significant structural damage”.

The car damaged a gas pipe, with police forced to evacuate neighbours whilst firefighters and the gas board worked to make the scene safe.

Some residents took shelter in the nearby Walter Tree Farm pub.

One of those affected was 64-year-old Coral, who was woken by police telling her to leave her home.

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“I was asleep when it happened, I didn’t hear anything,” she told the Echo.

“There was a knock at my door at about 9pm last night and I opened my bedroom window, which is above the door, and there were blue flashing lights everywhere.

“The police told me I had to evacuate the house due to the crash – so, I phoned my grandson who only lives around the corner and ended up staying with him for a couple of hours.”

Police have confirmed “significant structural damage” was caused to the house and said the driver of the Mercedes did not wait at the scene.

Coral went on to say: “I work early shifts, so I was conscious I had to be up in the morning but after two hours or so, it was safe to return home, and I went back to bed.

“I’m just glad nobody inside was hurt because it looks quite bad, especially if the car has gone into the gas pipe underneath the stairs.”

She added: “I guess the police are still dealing with it because it’s an almighty clean-up.”

In a statement, a spokesperson for Hampshire Police said: “We were called at 8.47pm after a Mercedes collided with a house in Hillyfields, Nursling.

“Significant structural damage was caused to the house.

“The scene was cordoned off while police and other agencies including the fire service and the gas board worked at the scene to make the area safe.”

They added: “The occupants of the car did not remain at the scene and left on foot, however the driver – an 18-year-old man – presented at hospital with minor injuries and police are speaking with him. Enquiries remain ongoing.”