TWO friends had a lucky escape when they were hit by an out-of-control car.

Diane Downs and Zelda Norris Mather were walking along Long Lane, Darcy Lever, on their way to a corner shop at around 9.20am yesterday.

As they reached the traffic lights, a silver Honda Jazz veered off the road, mounted the pavement and collided with them.

Mrs Downs was left trapped under the vehicle and Mrs Mather pinned against the wall.

The emergency services were called to the scene and the North West Air Ambulance was also scrambled, as police and paramedics feared for the women’s survival.

But the women miraculously escaped major injury and the air ambulance was not needed.

Mrs Downs, aged 37, of Hollycroft Avenue, Darcy Lever, was even allowed out of hospital just hours after her ordeal.

Speaking about the incident, she said: “I was terrified. I thought I would be killed. I have been very lucky.”

Mrs Downs thought the driver must have been slowing down for the traffic before he lost control of the car.

“I hit the bonnet and I saw Zelda, who looked like a rag doll, being dragged against the wall,” she said.

Mrs Downs was then trapped beneath the car, which had come to a halt. Firefighters released the women using airbags.

Mrs Downs added: “If the driver had been going any faster we would have been killed.”

Mrs Downs managed to escape with cuts and bruises, but Mrs Mather was kept in hospital last night with suspected pelvic, ankle and leg injuries.

The 71-year-old male driver of the car was also taken to the Royal Bolton Hospital.

It is thought he may have had a stroke or seizure which caused him to lose control.

An eye-witness said: “I was in the Nisa Local shop when it happened.

“I heard a woman screaming and the air ambulance had landed on the field. I was really shocked.”