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DRIVER TELLS OF CLIFF PLUNGE MIRACLE
Isle of Wight County Press ^ | Nov 24, 2006 | By Lorraine Parker

Posted on 11/25/2006 8:04:20 PM PST by Irisshlass

From his hospital ward, Terry Flynn, 71, told how on Monday evening, while driving to see his stepson, his automatic Corsa left the Military Road, ploughed across a field and over the cliff near Compton Farm, Brook. The former antiques dealer and window cleaner, of The Brambles, Freshwater, amazed rescuers when he walked away from his wrecked car with just cuts and bruises after losing control when swerving to avoid an animal. "It might have been a badger. I swerved and got stuck in the mud," said Mr Flynn. "I was shunting backwards and forwards, then I put the car in reverse and went straight over." Mr Flynn said he could not find his mobile phone to raise the alarm and thought he would be stuck all night. He said: "I thought 'this is ridiculous'. I didn't realise I was going over. "All I then remember was hitting things on the way down and an almighty crash. "It happened so quickly I didn't have time to think I would die," he said. "I want to apologise to everybody for being a fool. I'm so embarrassed." Mr Flynn said he could not get out of the vehicle because the roof had caved in and was only released when rescuers arrived. He was winched up the cliff, followed by his rescuers, who themselves became trapped by the tide. Police, fire brigade, ambulance, Needles Coastal Rescue Team and the coastguard helicopter all joined in the rescue. Mr Flynn said: "Everyone got there so quickly, I couldn't believe how efficient they were. They've been terrific." He said did not know when he would be able to go home but still ached. "Everyone tells me how lucky I am and I know that. "Hopefully, I won't be doing anything like that again." Mr Flynn revealed he had a strange premonition hours before when a picture of a black cat fell off a wall in front of him. He said: "It fell off for no reason. "The hook didn't break, the glass just smashed when it landed. I never believed in all that before but now I'm thinking 'Oh, my God, it was an omen,'" said Mr Flynn. To add to the coincidence, the man who informed emergency services after seeing the car stuck in the mud but oblivious to whom it belonged, was Mr Flynn's stepson, Andy Baldwin. Mr Baldwin, 54, of Godshill, only realised it was his stepdad when he called his mobile and was told by a rescuer to phone St Mary's Hospital. He said: "He is a very lucky man. To get out of that car alive is one thing, let alone without any major injuries. If he were a cat, he would only have eight lives left."


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1 posted on 11/25/2006 8:04:22 PM PST by Irisshlass
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To: Irisshlass

Incredible story. The moral is beware of omens. Somebody, somewhere, may be trying to give you a nudge.


2 posted on 11/25/2006 8:12:26 PM PST by RedRover (They are not killers. Defend our Marines.)
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To: RedRover

Well maybe that, and don't swerve for critters.


3 posted on 11/25/2006 8:21:08 PM PST by Freedom4US (u)
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To: RedRover

Last thing I would own is a picture of a black cat and hang it up on the wall. lol


4 posted on 11/25/2006 8:22:40 PM PST by Irisshlass
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To: Freedom4US

Yes, that would be lesson two!


5 posted on 11/25/2006 8:22:47 PM PST by RedRover (They are not killers. Defend our Marines.)
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To: RedRover

I thought this was wild..

To add to the coincidence, the man who informed emergency services after seeing the car stuck in the mud but oblivious to whom it belonged, was Mr Flynn's stepson, Andy Baldwin


6 posted on 11/25/2006 8:24:10 PM PST by Irisshlass
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To: Irisshlass

Former antiques dealers and window cleaners do strange things!


7 posted on 11/25/2006 8:26:28 PM PST by RedRover (They are not killers. Defend our Marines.)
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To: Irisshlass

And I even OWNED a black cat and am here to tell the tale. :)


8 posted on 11/25/2006 8:26:47 PM PST by BunnySlippers (Never Forget / Giuliani 2008)
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To: BunnySlippers

Do tell!


9 posted on 11/25/2006 8:28:54 PM PST by Irisshlass
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To: Irisshlass

Loved it! Thanks for posting!


10 posted on 11/25/2006 8:29:33 PM PST by RedRover (They are not killers. Defend our Marines.)
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To: Irisshlass

... however my two chihuahuas, Fidel & Charo, may do me in.


11 posted on 11/25/2006 8:31:13 PM PST by BunnySlippers (Never Forget / Giuliani 2008)
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To: RedRover

Your welcome Red! :)


12 posted on 11/25/2006 8:33:03 PM PST by Irisshlass
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To: RedRover
"Somebody, somewhere, may be trying to give you a nudge."

Oo la la!


13 posted on 11/25/2006 8:35:11 PM PST by I see my hands (_8(|)
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To: BunnySlippers

however my two chihuahuas, Fidel & Charo, may do me in.

My sister in law has a chichuahua..her name is Lucy, but we call her Lucifier..she kill me if she knew that. LOL

I bet yours are adorable though. :) They are sweet dogs but smart and can read you like a book! LOL


14 posted on 11/25/2006 8:35:17 PM PST by Irisshlass
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To: RedRover

I can't help but be reminded of something that happened to me a few years ago on a highway very near the turnoff to a lonely stretch of 50 mile highway leading to a Utah national park (everyone is tired, and ready to get to their destination). Eventually though, these clowns in some tin-can come up on my ass. I wasn't playing slo-poke - about 75ish but I also know that Utah troopers don't give much latitude either, and 70-75 is plenty for curvy, hilly two lane. An 18 wheeler sidles up behind *him*.. The park will still be there, when we get there. If we get there.

I swear, right then - on purpose - a chipmunk or small squirrel ran out in the middle of the road right in front of my car - semi-mischievously again, I was convinced at that moment, I didn't even flinch, and this critter knew enough to avoid the wheels.

I watched the rear view mirror - sure enough, the 2nd car swerves, and hard, nearly losing control - with 90,000 lbs or unstoppable tractor-trailer right on his tail. Now I like cute critters as much as the next guy, but let's put our thinking caps on now and then!


15 posted on 11/25/2006 8:45:24 PM PST by Freedom4US (u)
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To: Irisshlass

Thankyou! That's my father's local newspaper. I enjoyed reading it.


16 posted on 11/25/2006 8:57:04 PM PST by AmeriBrit (Soros and Clinton's for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington = SCREW.)
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To: Irisshlass

Thankyou! That's my father's local newspaper. I enjoyed reading it.


17 posted on 11/25/2006 8:57:13 PM PST by AmeriBrit (Soros and Clinton's for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington = SCREW.)
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To: AmeriBrit

You are very welcome. :)


18 posted on 11/25/2006 9:09:42 PM PST by Irisshlass
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To: Irisshlass; BunnySlippers
Free Image Hosting at allyoucanupload.com

Well then I must be positively doomed. This picture I took of my black cat patrolling the roof of my former home is the background on all six of my computers.

LOL

19 posted on 11/25/2006 9:09:58 PM PST by perfect stranger (Tagline tomorrow, tagline yesterday, but no tagline today.)
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To: perfect stranger

Get some Holy Water fast! LOL


20 posted on 11/25/2006 9:18:39 PM PST by Irisshlass
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