Ref. 75904-170A YOUNG woman who had to be cut free from a car after crashing on her driving test has said she will soon be back behind the wheel.

The Adver reported in later editions yesterday how firefighters had to cut the roof from the Driving Academy's Vauxhall Corsa following a collision with a Thamesdown Transport bus.

The driver, who does not wish to be named, said: "I'm still shaken up and my head is still very sore and so is my neck but it hasn't put me off driving.

"When my neck's better I will get out driving again and get another test booked.

"I've been told the next test will be free because the accident wasn't my fault, so that's one good thing out of it."

The accident happened just after 10am yesterday when the learner, who was taking her test for the first time, stalled on the roundabout at Fleming Way and Princes Street.

She said: "As I turned in to Fleming Way I stalled the car but it was still drifting so the bus thought I was moving and went into the back of me."

Speaking to the Adver after leaving hospital with minor injuries the woman described the moment of the crash.

"We got whacked across the road," she said.

"The back of the window smashed in and was all over the place. I was worried something might come into the side of us.

"We got shunted across the lanes and I was upset because my neck was hurting before the car had stopped and I couldn't look sideways to see what was coming.

"The driving instructor couldn't look round either but he just told me to stay calm. I wasn't really panicking but I was shocked that I couldn't move my neck.

"Because me and the examiner both said our necks were hurting the firemen took the roof off as a precaution. If they hadn't it wouldn't have looked so bad."

Her instructor Roger Harris, who was not in the car at the time, said: "I'm sure she will get back to it as soon as she can.

"There's no reason why not. I will have absolutely no problem taking her out again."

The examiner also escaped the smash with minor injuries.

John Owen, managing director of Thamesdown Trans-port, said: "We are pleased nobody was injured in the crash. Even though situations like this are rare a full investigation will be carried out and the driver will be debriefed."

Gareth Bethell