A SEVEN-year-old boy escaped with his life after he took his parent's car, flipped it and drove it into a fence early today.

Tom Potter

A SEVEN-year-old boy escaped with his life after he took his parent's car, flipped it and drove it into a fence early today.

David Johnson had to be cut free from the red VW Golf after he took the keys to the vehicle at around 1.08am today and drove just 30 feet before the car crashed into a neighbour's fence and ended up on its roof.

The seven-year-old of Inkerman Close, said: “I wanted to drive the car but I tipped it over and hit the fence.

“I was worried when it went on its roof and I hurt my arm, but then all I thought was what mum was going to think.”

Today the boy's devastated mother revealed her shock at the incident.

His mum, who did not want to be named said: “I was just shocked, I came outside and saw the car on its roof and I couldn't believe what had happened.

“My only concern at the time was that he had got out safely. He must have got the keys off the shelf and taken it for a drive.

“We are going to send him to a relative's for a few days so we can all clear our heads.”

Emergency services were called to Inkerman Terrace in Hadleigh at 1.08am.

Upon arrival ambulance and fire crews discovered the driver was a seven-year-old. The boy was trapped but cut free and taken to Ipswich Hospital with cuts to his hand.

The neighbour who owns the fence was upstairs putting her children to bed when the crash happened.

She said: “I heard a car skidding and a big thud. My other half rang the ambulance and when they got the boy out of the car he had scratches but he was walking around.

“I am just thankful that he didn't get as far as the wall and end up in my kitchen.

“I've got a seven-year-old myself and he wouldn't even know how to unlock a car let alone drive one.”