A DRIVER was lucky to escape with minor injuries after his vehicle crashed into a stable which collapsed around him.

Police officers were called to Nythe Farm, Stratton, shortly after 11am yesterday to find the Jaguar X-type saloon car embedded in the wall of a stable at the farm just yards from the A419.

The car driver, who has not been named by police, but is believed to be from the Abbey Meads area of Swindon, walked away from the accident slightly shaken with bruises and burns from the airbag,

Sgt Richard Moorhouse, of Swindon police's traffic department said: "This man was extremely lucky to escape more serious injury, getting away with a few bruises and burns. He's obviously quite shaken. If he had been driving an older car he might not have been so fortunate."

Officers who spoke to the driver say he was travelling along the southbound carriageway of the A419 when he noticed a lorry doing a U-turn from the southbound carriageway into the northbound carriageway.

It is understood that the Jaguar driver took evasive action and his car then clipped the lorry, and then clipped a small brick wall before hitting the garage and stable, demolishing the wall.

The building then toppled down on the car burying the front of the it under stonework and rubble.

One of the owners of Nythe Farm, Michelle Law, 42 said: "I was busy doing some housework when I heard a strange sound.

"At the time I thought it was just the noise of a truck going past quite fast, but then I heard a knock at the door and it was driver of the car who told me he had just crashed into the garage stable. He is lucky to be alive," said Ms Law.

"It could have been so much worse for the driver, and for us. The car could have quite easily gone into the house."

The Jaguar was still at the farm and was due to be removed from the rubble of the stable today. Ms Law said that arrangements were being made with insurance companies for repairs to the building and described the damage as significant.

Police are appealing for witnesses and are especially keen to find the owner of the lorry carrying out the U-turn.

They believe it was either an articulated lorry or a rigid-type with a trailer.

The lorry did not stop at the scene. Callers are asked to contact Sgt Moorhouse on 01793 528111.