In the field, a car which just missed the tree at Sandy Lane, where a young couple died a few weeks agoGAZETTE & HERALD: A YOUNG motorist escaped with his life after narrowly missing the same tree that claimed the lives of childhood sweethearts Nicky Gough and Colette Holbrook.

Ironically the first person on the scene of Sunday evening's crash was Dan Trudgian - a friend of the inseparable pair.

"Once I knew he was all right I went mad at him," said Mr Trudgian, of Neeld Crescent, Chippenham. "I showed him the tree that he scraped past. It's still got a picture of Nicky and Colette and scuff marks on it. I told him this is where they died and I think it hit home."

Police have now issued a stern warning to all drivers to take special care near the notorious accident blackspot at Sandy Lane.

The driver, thought to be in his early 20s and from the Bristol area, lost control of his car on the bend at Great Wood and careered within six inches of the tree.

Emergency services were called to the scene but the driver did not require hospital treatment. PC Tim Swinburn, one of the first people at the scene, said the young motorist was lucky to be alive.

He said the road through Sandy Lane was a dangerous stretch and urged people to slow down and exercise caution.

Mr Gough, 21, of Brook Street, Chippenham and fiance Miss Holbrook, 20, of Doveys Terrace, Kington Langley, both died instantly when their car hit the tree in the early hours of Easter Monday.

The pair were known for their love of cars, and many of their friends now sport stickers on their windscreens in their memory.

Anita Holbrook, Colette's mother, said young drivers needed to know what had happened there in the past.

"After what happened to Nicky and Colette I just wish they'd take notice," she said. "At 20 years old you think you're immortal but it can happen to you the same as anyone else.

"I don't want anyone else's parents going through what we're going through. I'd hate for that to happen.You never get over it you just learn to live with it."

"That stretch of road has ruined two families lives, don't let it take any more."

Mr Trudgian, 29, had known Mr Gough and Miss Holbrook for some time. He said he was driving back to Chippenham when he noticed some lights in a field.

"It had literally just landed," he said. "It cleared the hedge and only just missed the tree. The airbags had gone off and there wasn't a single piece of glass left intact. He was so, so lucky."