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'TRAUMATIC ORDEAL'

Mum and baby ‘lucky to be alive’ after car was hit by Prince Philip’s Land Rover

The family of Ellie Townsend, 28, who was in the car with her nine-month-old son, said that she has been 'very shaken' since the ordeal

THE family of a mum and baby whose car was hit by Prince Philip’s Land Rover said yesterday: “They’re lucky to be alive.”

A relative said teacher Ellie Townsend, 28, who was in the Kia with her nine-month-old son and friend Emma Fairweather, had suffered “a traumatic ordeal".

 Relatives of Ellie Townsend (pictured) have said that she is 'lucky to be alive' after the accident
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Relatives of Ellie Townsend (pictured) have said that she is 'lucky to be alive' after the accident

The relative added: “It’s scary to think what could have happened.

“She’s just still very shaken and wants to spend time with her son and husband Shaun. The pair of them are lucky to be alive.

“They are doing as well as can be expected after a traumatic event.

Ellie’s family said she did not blame Philip, 97, for the smash, which occurred as he pulled onto a main road at the Queen’s Sandringham Estate, Norfolk.

It’s scary to think what could have happened

Relative of Ellie Townsend

Her mum Deborah, 58, said: “We’re just trying to get through it.”

Ellie was taken to hospital for treatment to a knee injury. Emma, 46, broke a wrist.

Emma said last night that she had received a voicemail from the Queen’s lady-in-waiting, who passed on Her Majesty’s “warmest good wishes”.

Buckingham Palace also said: “A full message of support was sent to both the driver and the passenger.”

Prince Philip passed a breathalyser test and sight test following the smash.

But two days later he was spotted driving a replacement Land Rover without his seatbelt.

Norfolk Police later said they had spoken to the Prince about it, adding: “Suitable words of advice have been given to the driver.”

 Ellie has said she does not blame Prince Philip, 97, for the crash
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Ellie has said she does not blame Prince Philip, 97, for the crashCredit: Albanpix
 Prince Philip passed breathalyser and sight tests following the smash
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Prince Philip passed breathalyser and sight tests following the smashCredit: Reuters
 Emma Fairweather, also involved in the collision, has criticised the Duke of Edinburgh for not personally phoning her
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Emma Fairweather, also involved in the collision, has criticised the Duke of Edinburgh for not personally phoning her
 Debris at the scene of the accident near the Sandringham Estate
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Debris at the scene of the accident near the Sandringham EstateCredit: Reuters
Prince Philip spotted out driving his new Land Rover without a seat belt just two days after crash
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