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Video shows how family dodge head-on car crash by inches in Sea Street, Herne Bay

00:01, 05 January 2016

A shocking video shows the moment a dad narrowly avoids a head-on collision in Herne Bay after a driver appears to go through a red light.

Father-of-two John Garner, 44, was turning right onto Sea Street from Greenhill Road when a red Ford KA pulled out in front of his Ford Focus.

Footage captured on Mr Garner’s dashboard camera shows how he slams on his brakes just in time – avoiding the collision by a matter of inches.

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John Garner's dashboard camera shows the near-miss with the red Ford KA
John Garner's dashboard camera shows the near-miss with the red Ford KA

He said: “I was on the way to my other half’s parents’ house and as we approached the bridge the traffic lights were green for me.

“On the footage you hear one of my boys say ‘it’s green, go.’

“We followed through and at the last minute I saw the red Ford KA come out from behind.

WATCH: Family dodge head-on crash by inches

“I wanted to highlight what could happen if you are not paying full attention.

“If I had been speeding down there I would have had no chance at all.”

Customer service assistant Mr Garner had his family in the car at the time of the incident on Boxing Day.

He posted the video on his Facebook site and it has since been viewed almost 1,000 times.

John Garner with his dashboard camera. Picture: Chris Davey
John Garner with his dashboard camera. Picture: Chris Davey

Mr Garner added: “It was a bit like being on a driving test and doing an emergency stop.

“They slowed in front of me but didn’t stop at all.

“I know a few people who have had near misses there – it is an awkward junction.”

County councillor for Herne Bay Brian MacDowall (Ukip) said the incident could have easily turned out differently.

Ukip councillor Brian MacDowall
Ukip councillor Brian MacDowall

He said: “This video underlines the importance of paying attention at all times to changing road conditions.

“The single biggest cause of accidents according to the Department for Transport is 'failure to look properly'.

“Thankfully, this was a near-miss, but it could easily have had a different result.

“By far the best way of keeping your skills updated is by undertaking further driving training courses such as those offered by the Institute of Advanced Motorists and The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents.

“Awareness is the key to safe driving.”

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