A woman and her son were lucky to escape serious injury after a diesel spill caused their car to spin out of control and flip onto its side.

Eastern Daily Press: A diesel spill caused a woman to lose control of her car. Picture Sammy WalpoleA diesel spill caused a woman to lose control of her car. Picture Sammy Walpole (Image: Archant)

Sammy Walpole, 27, from East Bradenham, near Dereham, had been driving with her one year old son Kai at around 2.55pm on Friday, October 6 when she turned a corner on Bradenham Road and hit the spill.

The diesel was covering almost a quarter mile of the road and was nearly invisible to Miss Walpole as her car came into contact with it.

She lost control almost immediately.

'I was terrified,' she said. 'It felt like I was on ice. I panicked, I couldn't correct it, then next thing I remember the car was on the driver's side and my son was screaming.

Eastern Daily Press: A diesel spill caused a woman to lose control of her car. Picture Sammy WalpoleA diesel spill caused a woman to lose control of her car. Picture Sammy Walpole (Image: Archant)

'It all happened so quickly, my main concern was whether he was ok.'

A nearby cyclist watched as the car spun out of control and flipped. He was the first person on the scene and after checking the pair were okay he pulled Kai to safety through a shattered window and called the emergency services.

An ambulance was dispatched along with fire crews from Dereham and Watton. The fire crew made the scene safe and rescued Miss Walpole from the car.

'The fire and rescue team had to secure the car and then got me out through the boot,' she said. 'We were both checked out in the Ambulance then taken home as they didn't think we needed to go to the hospital.

'I have a bruised arm, and my neck and shoulder where seat belt was, is very sore and stiff.'

Despite the accident leaving her son hanging upside down in his seat, she said that he was uninjured and credited it largely to the fitted children's seat in the car.

'I'm just glad that his seat was properly fitted and that the straps were tight. I always make sure they are pulled tight.'

The spill had not been reported before the accident happened and a spokesperson for Norfolk County Council's Highways team said that while it is not required by law, the Highways team advises anyone responsible for a spill to report it immediately.

Additionally, they advised any driver who spots an oil or diesel spill on the road to report it on 0344 800 8020. Or via their online enquiry form.