A close shave as van smashes into house

The badly damaged house at 1 Badger Close

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A woman has spoken of the moment she feared for her life as a van smashed into her living room this evening (Friday 17 July).

Margaret McCabe, of Badger Close (off Broad Lane), Balderstone, left the room just seconds before the vehicle demolished the front room.

Fire crews say the house is so badly damaged that part of it could have to be demolished.

Speaking to Rochdale Online News, Mrs McCabe said: “I’d literally just walked out of the room seconds before the van crashed into it.

"There was a massive bang, the whole house shook.

“I am very lucky.”

Police say witnesses described the driver as losing control of the vehicle around 100 yards away from the house on a right hand bend, causing the vehicle to career into the house at some speed.

The house is undergoing a building inspection to determine the full extent of the damage.

The driver of the van has been taken to hospital with minor injuries.