Car Collision Forces Family from Home in South Gloucestershire

A family of five in Chipping Sodbury, South Gloucestershire, has been forced to evacuate their home after a car crashed into the building on July 4, 2023. The incident occurred during a seemingly ordinary afternoon, turning the family’s life upside down as they now seek temporary housing and assess the damage done to their home.

Freda Amang, 32, and her husband Enock Aidoo, 32, have lived at their rented residence since November 2022. They described their neighborhood as a “lovely, peaceful and small area.” On that fateful Friday, Freda had just returned from her night shift as a support worker and was resting upstairs with her youngest daughter, aged 19 months. As she lay sleeping, a sudden and thunderous bang jolted her awake.

“I opened the curtains to see what was going on,” Freda recounted. “That was when I saw that the car had crashed into the building.” Overcome with shock, she struggled to comprehend the severity of the situation.

Witnesses outside yelled for her to come down, and despite her disorientation, Freda managed to reach the street with her daughter in her arms. “Some of the neighbours came out and asked if I was okay. One of them offered to pick up the kids from school, as I just forgot about everything,” she said.

Emergency services arrived shortly after, advising the family that it was unsafe to remain in their home due to extensive damage to the downstairs area. The living room, including the furniture, was devastated by the impact. “The house is in a very bad state and it’s very dangerous to go in there,” Freda stated, highlighting concerns that structural issues could extend to the upper levels.

The family had to quickly pack essential items and was moved to temporary accommodation for three nights before relocating to a hotel for an additional two nights. The local council subsequently provided them with a two-bedroom flat, located half an hour away from Chipping Sodbury, while they search for a more permanent residence.

“Our home is going to take a while to be fixed after the incident, but we want to go back to Chipping Sodbury,” Freda expressed, reflecting on the emotional toll of the situation.

The distance from their temporary location has forced Freda to reduce her work hours significantly. “I can only do one day, and public transport takes too long,” she explained. Both Freda and Enock work at the same place, complicating their daily routines as they manage childcare and work commitments.

The emotional aftermath has also affected their children, who have been out of school for weeks. “I’ve been traumatised and my kids have been as well,” Freda shared. “Life hasn’t been the same; it’s really changed a lot.” The family is also concerned about their pet fish left behind, uncertain if they survived without power in the home.

Freda’s experience highlights the long-lasting impact of such traumatic events. “I still have anxiety that something bad is going to happen,” she revealed. “Noise brings that memory back to me so badly.”

As they navigate this challenging period, a friend has initiated a fundraising campaign to assist the family during their time of need. The community’s support reflects the resilience and compassion that often emerges in the aftermath of crises, providing hope to the Amang-Aidoo family as they work towards rebuilding their lives.