A MUM says her family was lucky to escape injury when their car was struck by another being driven erratically.

Jacqueline Camilleri, 35, of Chiseldon, had her four children in the back of the car and was driving along Edgeware Road, Swindon, when a woman reversed into her after already smashing into a wall.

Mrs Camilleri said: "It happened so quickly that I didn't have time to react. The kids just started screaming. It's been very traumatic for them.

"My kids were in the back and anything could have happened.

"I had stopped the car because I saw the other car heading towards us.

"Then I saw her hit the wall in the rear view mirror and before I had time to get into gear she had reversed straight into us."

Mrs Camilleri's 11-year-old son, Kyle, was sitting in the back of the seven-seater Peugeot 406 and was facing the oncoming car.

He said: "I saw it coming towards me and it was really scary. I thought it was going to smash through the window."

Also in the car were Mrs Camilleri's other children Stacey, nine, Vincent, three, 11-month-old Jamie and Jacque-line's friend Dawn Kimber, 17.

The driver, a local woman, was arrested for several traffic offences after crashing a green VW Jetta into numerous cars and against buildings before driving along Islington Street.

She was treated at Princess Margaret Hospital for minor injuries.

Her passenger, a man also from Swindon, was arrested on suspicion of theft.

The car ended up against a crash barrier in Fleming Way, opposite Swindon Central police station.

Alvina Kumar, spokeswoman for Swindon Police, said: "Once released from hospital the driver was arrested on suspicion and taken to Westlea.

"While at the police station she was questioned about numerous traffic offences, including dangerous driving.

"She was then released on police bail pending further inquiries and is due to re-appear at Westlea Police Station on December 9.

"Her male passenger was arrested on suspicion of theft and taken to Westlea. He too was released pending further inquires and is due to return on December 9.

"It is force policy for all drivers involved in collisions to be breath tested. If negative and an officer suspects impairment i.e. drugs related then a doctor is called and a blood sample is taken for analysis.

"This applied in the case of the female driver of Volkswagen Jetta involved in the collision and we are awaiting forensic results."