Marie-Claire Doherty, 25, from Belfast, believes she is ‘lucky to be alive’ after she was dragged under her moving car after shopping for her wedding dress
A bride-to-be fears she will be unable to walk down the aisle after she was run over by her own car while trying to stop it rolling down the street.
Marie-Claire Doherty, 25, from Belfast, believes she is ‘lucky to be alive’ after she was dragged under her moving car after shopping for her wedding dress.
After parking up at home Miss Doherty did not realise she hadn’t securely put the handbrake on causing her BMW to roll down the street.
In a panic, she tried to stop it but ended up getting her leg caught underneath and was then dragged down the street.
The mother-of-three feared her head would get crushed under the wheels and was only saved when the vehicle bumped into a parked car, allowing her to escape with broken knee tissue, a damaged hand and cuts and bruises.
However, now Miss Doherty is too nervous to get back in the driving seat after the terrifying incident on August 28 and fears her leg may never be fully healed – meaning she may not be able to walk properly down the aisle on her big day.
The 25-year-old said: ‘It was a really lucky escape… It’s not worth thinking about what could have happened. I feel lucky to be alive.
‘I’m giving up driving at the moment. I’m really nervous. It was absolutely terrifying. I’m just glad it wasn’t worse. I’m feeling very blessed to have come away with just the injuries I received.
‘I thought that the wheel was going to go over my head and no one was going to find me.
‘I will 100% make sure the handbrake is secure from now on. I will definitely be warier. It was a big mistake that’s for sure.
‘Instead of going through to the passenger side I opened the door and my left leg got stuck out the car. In the space of 30 seconds I was left with a broken knee.
After parking up at home Miss Doherty (left, with her fiance) did not realise she hadn’t securely put the handbrake on causing her BMW to roll down the street
Marie-Claire Doherty, 25, resting on the couch after the ordeal of being crushed by her own car
The mother-of-three feared her head would get crushed under the wheels and was only saved when the vehicle bumped into a parked car, allowing her to escape with broken knee tissue, a damaged hand and cuts and bruises
‘It happened so quickly I was being dragged down by the car. I don’t even bear thinking about what could have happened. It was dark outside. It was really scary.
‘I am worried that there will be long lasting damage. I’ve been told by a few friends that once you have a knee injury it will affect you for the rest of your life.
‘I’m not sure whether that’s true or not but only time will tell.
‘It has left me with concerns that I won’t be able to walk down the aisle. I’ve got high heels so I’m hoping I will still be able to wear them.’
After hitting the parked car, adrenaline kicked in and the mother was able to escape.
However, her BMW now has a hole in the front bumper from the accident and the car that was hit has a hole in the back bumper.
Miss Doherty, a full-time mother, said: ‘Looking back I don’t know how I got out. I was running around trying to find out who the other car belonged to after’
Miss Doherty is too nervous to get back in the driving seat after the terrifying incident on August 28 and fears her leg may never be fully healed – meaning she may not be able to walk properly down the aisle on her big day
Miss Doherty, a full-time mother, said: ‘Looking back I don’t know how I got out. I was running around trying to find out who the other car belonged to after.
‘I was limping and bleeding and she [the owner of the other car] saw the state I was in. She was nice enough and worried about me and told me to go home and to look after myself.
‘When I told my family they thought I was joking so they were laughing at first. It was only when they saw the damage that they realised how bad it was.
Pictured (left) is the damage on Miss Doherty’s car after the incident and (right) bruising on her stomach
‘Everyone just keeps telling me how lucky I am and how much worse it could have been.
‘It was a nice happy day at first. I’ve got a while yet until my wedding. I would cry trying to wear the heels now.
‘To top it all off I received a letter from the dress shop that said they are closing down and they have refunded my money.
‘So, now I have to go looking for another dress with just over nine months to go. The bad luck is never ending. I hope my luck turns around soon.’