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Guy Ruddy of Martello Tower 23 announces crash sweepstake winner

11:30, 14 December 2017

updated: 11:31, 14 December 2017

A Martello Tower owner has announced the winner of a public sweepstake for guessing the date a car would next smash through his fence.

Guy Ruddy, owner of Martello Tower 23 in Hythe Road, Dymchurch, put up the offer when the seventh car in as many years ploughed into his garden in October.

Now the 56-year-old project manager, whose home has appeared on Grand Designs, said the eighth crash happened at about 4pm yesterday.

Guy Ruddy of Dymchurch has had several cars crash through his fence
Guy Ruddy of Dymchurch has had several cars crash through his fence

Mr Ruddy said: “I came back after taking the dog for a walk on the beach and there was a written off silver car wedged into the fence.

“A man who looked shaken was stood next to it and he said: ‘I’m really sorry mate, I crashed into your garden fence'.”

The driver didn’t suffer any injuries despite smashing into a concrete post behind the fence.

Crashes on the 40mph road are so frequent, Mr Ruddy says he has been left desensitised.

Damage following the latest crash
Damage following the latest crash

“Before it would be really worrying, but it happens so often now all I can do is laugh," he said.

“The weather is dank and the road is wet, I’m right on the corner and this is what happens."

Following the October incident Mr Ruddy offered dinner and a look around the tower to the person who guessed the next date on Facebook.

Seven cars have crashed through Guy Ruddy's fence
Seven cars have crashed through Guy Ruddy's fence

And after posting the bizarre betting game on the Real Marsh Watch he attracted scores of responses.

The winner has been announced as Penelope Snoad, although it is unclear which date she guessed.

Mr Ruddy continues to campaign for Kent Highways to help prevent further accidents and danger to his life.

He said: “I’ve spoken with the council but they said they don’t put up barriers to protect private property.

A crash outside Mr Ruddy's house
A crash outside Mr Ruddy's house

“That’s fine, but I don’t understand why they can’t put up reflector strips to at least warn drivers the bend is coming up.

“Obviously if someone or my dog was in that area of the garden at the time of any of these crashes there could have been serious injury.”

He believes the crashes are down to lapses in drivers’ attentions on the bend, which comes after a long straight.

Kent Highways has been approached for comment.

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