The horror unfolded near the Humber Bridge
A mum-of-four has recalled the moment that “shook her to her core” after she and her six-year-old son were “almost killed” when her car set on fire along the A63. Reanne Wilson, 27, was driving her Subaru with her six-year-old son Lincoln as a passenger when she was “sent into a state of panic” as passing drivers tried to warn her that flames were billowing from the bonnet.
Reanne, from Scunthorpe, said: “I noticed a passenger pointing out of his car window, and as I leaned forward, I saw flames coming from the corner of the front bonnet. My heart began to race, and in that moment, it felt as though life had frozen everything around me. I couldn’t hear.
“As soon as I slammed on the brakes, and the car came to a halt, it was then I saw flames engulf the bonnet. When you’re driving, you don’t see it because of the wind.
“If the driver didn’t flag me down, I’m not quite sure if my little boy and I would still be here to tell the story.” Reanne retold the dramatic moment she screamed at her son to run despite the driver’s side door being jammed, reports Yorkshire Live.
Reanne said: “My first words were to Lincoln, ‘Get out of the car and run’. I pointed him in the right direction and made sure he got out before attempting to do so myself. If he couldn’t get out, then neither would I.
“He got out of the car, and I instantly went to unlock my door, but it wouldn’t work, and at that moment, you don’t think to climb over and use the other door; you just panic.
“I had to elbow it a few times, and it was like an angel was looking down on me, saying ‘Not today’ because I tried the lock again, and it was like someone had opened the door for me. My first thought. Getting my son to safety and keeping him as calm as I possibly can – although inside I felt like throwing myself to the ground and sobbing, screaming.”
Thankfully, Reanne and her son managed to safely escape the vehicle, but the traumatic experience has left her nervous to get back into a car. Reanne said: “I still haven’t managed to get behind the wheel, I often stick my earphones in when I’m in other people’s cars and pause the world out until my journey is complete. I use my earphones everywhere now.
“At least Lincoln is less traumatised. He thinks I’m superwoman and tells me all the time that he loves mummy to infinity and is much more attached now. He says he just wants the Subaru back, I said items and materials can be replaced but we can’t be.”
Reanne has since tried to thank those who “helped save her life” by flagging down her vehicle. Reanne said: “Everyone has been so amazing. The lady at the car compound really helped support me – telling me I was ‘brave’ and giving me words of encouragement, when I broke down in tears shortly after the fire.”
“I simply cannot thank the people who attended enough, and I’ll be forever thankful that my son and I are still here. I haven’t been able to speak to the person who flagged me down, but I wish I could thank them in person.”
The car fire was initially reported, causing delays on the westbound carriageway at the side of the A63, near to the Humber Bridge, at 9am on Monday, October 20.