A WOMAN and her teenage son had a lucky escape as a car ploughed into their vehicle, which had broken down at the side of the road.

The 38-year-old and her son, both from Colchester, were driving northbound along the A12 near Spring Lane, Colchester, when their Renault Clio broke down.

Luckily, they got out of the vehicle and were waiting by the roadside when the driver of a green Honda, who had not seen the broken down car on the hard shoulder, drove into the back of their stationary car leaving it a write-off.

Pc Allan Discombe of the Roads Policing Unit said: “They were very fortunate that they had got out of the car and were a safe distance away when the other car struck.

“I am glad that they heeded advice and did not stay in the car otherwise they could have been seriously injured.”

The driver of the Honda, a 71-year-old man from Dunmow, was taken to Colchester General Hospital and kept in overnight, but released after being treated for cuts and bruises.

Pc Discombe added: “If you break down on the A12, get over as far as you can to the nearside, get out the vehicle and find a safe place to dial 999 and inform the police, then phone for a recovery vehicle.”