Bohemia Village Voice

Drama in Chapel Park Road - a van plunges through a brick wall into the front garden of No. 58.

A removal van crashes into front garden. In the early hours of Thursday 5 October, a blue removal van careered out of control into the front garden of number 58 Chapel Park Road, failing to wake the occupants of the house.
   Paula Sedge, who lives at the property with her three daughters, first became aware of the accident when a neighbour called. “It happened about one o’clock in the morning,” said Paula. “We were all asleep in bed and didn’t hear a thing. The police arrived within minutes – they were wonderful. Paramedics also turned up, although there was nothing for them to do. The van was competely blocking the front steps and it was impossible to get out of the garden without help – from the firemen who also attended. I decided to send my girls, Kierney and Bethany to their Nan’s for the rest of the night, and I let them stay off school for the day.”
   How did the accident happen? “I don’t think there was anyone in the van,” said Paula. “I believe the police think it was a bungled attempt at stealing it. The van was apparently parked further up Chapel Park Road by St Peter’s church.” It is thought that two or three youths tried to steal the van, and let the handbrake off, allowing the vehicle to roll down the hill and into Paula’s garden. It then crashed through the garden brick wall onto the lawn, taking the garden gate and fence with it, coming to a rest just inches from Paula’s front door.
   When the Bohemia Village Voice  arrived on the scene, a large crane was being set up, levelled and balanced. A couple of policemen were controlling the handful of  bystanders, one of whom was Paula, who’d been asked to wait outside since 8.30 that morning. Straps were fixed around the van and secured to the chains from the crane and it was finally lifted clear around mid-day, allowing a an exhausted Paula back into her home.
   So, how does Paula, who has lived in Chapel Park Road for seven months, find Bohemia? “It’s alright,” she said.

The crane used to extricate the wayward van.

It was a very close shave indeed.

The van tied up and ready for lift off.

Chapel Park Road drama - runaway van being hoisted away from garden.

The crane makes small work of the van.

Almost safely stowed away.