A family of five in Chipping Sodbury has been forced to evacuate their home after a car suddenly crashed into their house, causing extensive damage. Freda Amang, 32, her husband Enock Aidoo, 32, and their three young children—an eight-year-old son and two daughters aged five and 19 months—have been left stunned and displaced due to the accident.
The incident occurred on the afternoon of Friday, July 4, when Freda had just returned home from a late night shift as a support worker and was resting upstairs with her youngest daughter. Suddenly, she heard a loud bang from downstairs. Upon looking outside, she saw a car had collided with their house in their usually quiet and peaceful residential area.
Freda recounted the terrifying moment: “I was in shock; people outside were shouting to ‘get down,’ but I was just staring, unable to process what was happening.” She managed to make her way downstairs with her baby and sat on the pavement, overwhelmed and disoriented.
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Authorities soon arrived, declaring the house unsafe to stay in due to severe damage to the downstairs living area, which has also impacted the upper floors of their rental home. Furniture including the sofa, dining table, and desk were destroyed under piles of rubble.
The family had to quickly pack only essential belongings and move into temporary accommodation. After three nights in a temporary shelter and two in a hotel, the council provided them with a two-bedroom flat about half an hour away from Chipping Sodbury. This new location has forced Freda to dramatically reduce her working hours, as commuting has become difficult and public transportation options are limited.
The emotional and psychological toll on the family has been significant. Freda shared, “My children haven’t been in school for weeks, and I still struggle to sleep because even small noises bring back the shock of that day.” The disruption extends even to their pets, with fish left uncertain of their survival since the electricity had to be cut off.
Despite the trauma and upheaval, Freda and her family hold hope to return to their home once repairs are made. Meanwhile, a friend has established a GoFundMe page to support the family through this challenging time as they work toward rebuilding their lives.