A COPPLESTONE woman was visibly shaking after a car crashed into the garden of her Fernworthy Gardens home, demolishing a fence, tree and summerhouse.

The property owner, Shelagh Harrington, was not the only person affected by the incident, which occurred at about 1.30pm on Monday, April 26.

A teaching assistant walking to work at Copplestone Primary School was described as "very shaken up" after she was allegedly "narrowly missed" by the vehicle which mounted the pavement before crashing through the fence, apparently ending "just metres away from her".

Neighbour, and local District Councillor Phil Bourne, came to the aid of his neighbour.

He explained: "The driver, a young man in his 20s, had been trying to reverse the car out but it was wedged on a tree stump.

"Shelagh had been trying to help him with a minor head wound he sustained but he did not really want to know."

Phil added: "The police were quickly on the scene.

"The driver was not very co-operative and I did have to give the officers a hand for a second or two."

Another local resident, who asked not to be named, said: "I had seen the car flying around the road about 20 minutes before the crash.

"Apparently it hit the kerb and on two wheels went through the fence."

Shelagh Harrington, told the Courier: "I must thank Phil for all he has done to help, he really has been fantastic.

"I don't know what I would have done if he hadn't been here. Fortunately I was home on a day off from work."

The crash was heard hundreds of yards from the scene.

Stuart Busby, Head Teacher at Copplestone Primary School, heard the crash and went to see if there was anything he could do to help.

He said that he helped to comfort the teaching assistant following the narrow escape.

The road was closed by the police for a short period of time. Four police crews attended.

The car, a white L-registration BMW, was removed by a team from Highfield Garage at Spreyton.

A spokesman for Crediton Police said that a man is helping the police with their inquiries.