‘Help me! What do we do?’: Learner driver left too scared to move after almost being hit by car fleeing police
- Mia Cuddington, 17, was only on her third lesson when the chase interrupted her
- The driver of the Subaru Impreza swerves onto the pavement trying to escape
- The car was stopped a few roads away by police after the drivers petrol ran out
Most of us recall our first few driving lessons being an anxious time, remembering to clutch in and shift gears and come off the accelerator seeming the most complex task at first.
But one learner driver has had an early experience she will never forget after being caught up in the middle of a high-speed police chase.
Mia Cuddington, 17 was on her third driving lesson in Kent when a quiet residential road became a high octane drag strip.
Seeing the Silver Impreza appear like a shark from a round the corner, blue lights appear behind as the sound of sirens fills the small side street.
Recognising she’s in the middle of something serious, Mia can be heard saying to her driving instructor ‘help me!’ Before coming to a stop in the middle of the road.
The driver of the chased car isn’t going to be stopped by an impromptu road block and quickly mounts the pavement, uncaring as to whether any pedestrians are around.
Thankfully there aren’t and the police follow suit sending one car around either side of the frightened learner.
Too close: Seeing he has no way down the road the driver opts to mount the pavement, ignoring the risks of children who might be around in the summer holidays
With no option in the pursuit the police follow the driver’s dangerous path, desperate to stop him before his risk-taking ends badly
Following the shock Mia was too shaken up to continue her lesson but has vowed to return to the roads for more lessons.
Driving instructor Darren Willett of Willett’s School of Motoring has been a driving instructor for 19 years and had never seen a real Police chase – let alone whilst teaching.
Mr Willett, 50 said: “I heard the sirens and then suddenly saw the Subaru turn into the road ahead.’
“We were shocked when the driver took to the pavement and then again when the police followed either side of us.’
“It’s the school holidays, children are usually out and about playing everywhere – luckily, the weather wasn’t good today, so I think most had stayed indoors.”
As a sign of good will, Mr Willett has elected not to charge Mia for the lesson.
After being later apprehended by police after running out of petrol, the Impreza driver was charged on suspicion of dangerous driving but has been released pending further enquiries.