A devoted Ipswich mum who fears her seriously ill two-year-old son may not live into his teens today spoke of her heartache after thieves stole and wrecked her “lifeline” car.
Single mum Donna Procter says she hopes the culprits are caught after the vehicle was found crashed on its roof and damaged beyond repair in the front garden of an Ipswich house.
The driver fled from the scene and is being hunted by detectives. A 25-year-old man who was the passenger has been bailed after being arrested in hospital hours after the incident on Thursday night.
Ms Procter’s two-year-old son, Leon, was born with chronic kidney failure and needs a kidney transplant. Doctors say he may not live into his teenage years.
Ms Procter, 33, takes him to various medical appointments, including a monthly visit to Great Ormond Street Hospital in London where blood tests and X-rays are taken.
“That car was our lifeline,” she said. “We go to hospital every month. We needed that car for loads of appointments.
“I panicked when I found out it had gone. I don’t know what to do now. I hope the police catch them. I hope they feel guilty for what they have done to us.”
Hopes of a new kidney for Leon are pinned to a man who is undergoing tests to determine if he is compatible.
“If he isn’t then we will have to join the donor list,” added Ms Procter, of Station Street.
Leon requires daily medication for the disease, which could result in complete kidney failure. The tot also suffers from Pierre Robin sequence, which causes him difficulty breathing.
“My mum was really angry when she found out about the theft,” Ms Procter added. “She can take us to a few appointments – but not all of them.”
The blue Vauxhall Astra, which was fitted with a special backseat designed by doctors for Leon, was discovered in Ellenbrook Road at around 10pm last Thursday. It was stolen from outside Ms Procter’s home between 4.30pm and 9.45pm.
“I can’t bare to look at the pictures of our ruined car,” Ms Procter said. “It’s devastating.”
Officers found a 25-year-old man trapped in the passenger seat of the car in the wreckage while firefighters dealt with live wires hanging from a lamppost knocked over in the accident.
The passenger, 25, from Ipswich, was taken to Ipswich Hospital where he was treated for head injuries.
He was arrested on suspicion of aggravated vehicle taking that night and was quizzed by detectives. He was released on bail on Friday, and is due to return to Martlesham Police Investigation Centre on September 16.
Those with information on the incident are urged to call police on 101.
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