Published: Wednesday, 26th November, 2008 12:30pm

Dad and tot in horror smash

by Russell Steele

A DAD and his one-year-old son had a miraculous escape when their car left the busy A78 and ploughed into trees.

Farkas Deak"s 16-month-old son, Benedict, who was in the back seat, was unscathed despite a section of tree crashing through the side of the car.

The Hungarian IT specialist, 35, said: 'I feel lucky to be alive. There must be a guardian angel out there looking after us.'

The accident took place yesterday morning when the car, which was heading towards Inverkip, left the road and smashed into trees.

A tree went through the passenger side of the car during the smash, narrowly missing the tot in the back.

The six-foot-long section of tree then punctured the bottom of the green Toyota Avensis with a car mat still attached.

Farkas"s relieved wife, Vera Karaba, 29, said: 'I don"t know how he made it out alive. He only had a chip off his heel and bruises here and there.

'My husband and son could have died. They had a really lucky escape. There was no room for his feet.'

It is believed icy conditions may have played a part in the car careering off the road.

Farkas, of Binnie Street, revealed he felt the tyres slipping on ice near the Inverkip turnoff at IBM, before the car slipped again, spun a few times and ploughed into the woods.

He said: 'I felt something coming in at my feet and I looked back at my son. I could hear him crying and I was relieved because I knew he was alive.

'I tried to move my leg at the pedals and there was something pressing on my foot, which was very painful. I was worried my foot would became swollen so I managed to pull my leg from my shoes.

'It wasn"t until I saw the pictures of the car later I realised I was lucky to be alive.'

Police officers who attended the scene ordered roads authorities to call in the gritters immediately. Two ambulance crews and police were called to the scene of the accident, which took place at 9.40am.

The car was written off by the smash, having sustained significant damage on impact with the trees. Any witnesses should contact Greenock Police on 492500.

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