Family Evacuated After Car Crashes into Their Home in Chipping Sodbury

A family in Chipping Sodbury, South Gloucestershire, was forced to evacuate their home after a car crashed into the building on the afternoon of July 4, 2023. Freda Amang, 32, her husband Enock Aidoo, also 32, and their three children narrowly escaped serious injury when the unexpected incident occurred in their typically quiet residential area.

Freda was at home with her youngest daughter, just 19 months old, when she heard a loud noise that abruptly shattered their usual peaceful day. “I was sleeping and then heard a very loud bang on the house,” she recounted. “I opened the curtains to see what was going on. That was when I saw that the car had crashed into the building.”

The couple, who have rented their home since November 2022, had never experienced any issues in the neighborhood. The family had settled comfortably into their home at the end of a quiet road, which Freda described as a “lovely, peaceful and small area.” The crash, however, changed everything.

Freda recalled the chaotic moments following the impact. Overcome with shock, she struggled to react as neighbors rushed to assist her. “I couldn’t think and was in such a bad shock, so the people outside were shouting to me, ‘get down, get down’.” With her daughter in her arms, she managed to make her way outside, where she sat on the pavement, still reeling from the event.

Emergency services quickly arrived at the scene, declaring the house unsafe due to significant damage. The impact destroyed much of the living room, including essential furniture like the sofa, dining table, and desk. Freda noted, “The house is in a very bad state and it’s very dangerous to go in there.” Concerns have arisen regarding potential structural damage to the upper levels of the home as well.

The family was evacuated, packing only essential items as they left behind the majority of their belongings. They spent three nights in temporary accommodation before moving to a hotel for an additional two nights. The local council then provided them with a two-bedroom flat located approximately half an hour from Chipping Sodbury, while they search for a more permanent residence.

“It’s going to take a while to fix our home after the incident, but we want to go back to Chipping Sodbury,” Freda expressed. Unfortunately, the change in location has forced her to reduce her work hours significantly. “I can only do one day, and public transport takes too long,” she explained, highlighting the strain this situation has placed on the family.

The emotional toll of the incident has been profound. Freda described how her children have struggled to cope, missing school for weeks as they navigate the aftermath. “I’ve been traumatised and my kids have been as well,” she stated. “Life hasn’t been the same; it’s really changed a lot.”

Adding to her distress, Freda is concerned about the family’s pet fish, left behind in the house. With the electricity turned off, she fears for their survival. The disruption of daily routines has taken a significant psychological toll, leaving her with anxiety and sleepless nights. “Anytime I sleep, the little noise I hear brings back memories of that day,” she said.

In a show of community support, a friend of the family has initiated a fundraising campaign to assist them during this challenging time. As they face an uncertain future, the Aidoo family is left to cope with the lasting impact of the crash and the search for a new place to call home.