A COUPLE say they are lucky to be alive after their car flipped in the air, crashed into a pick-up truck and ended up in a field after hitting a manhole cover which had come loose on the A44 near Aberystwyth.

IBERS worker Ray Davies, 55, had been driving towards his Capel Bangor home from Aberystwyth with his wife Nia, when the accident happened between Lovesgrove and Blaengeuffordd last Wednesday evening.

The couple, who suffered bruising and had their Seat Ibiza written off, say it’s a miracle no-one was killed and are angry the manhole was left in such a dangerous state, despite complaints being made about it.

Recalling their terrifying ordeal, Welsh Government worker Nia, 58, said: “We hit this hole and flipped into the path of an oncoming vehicle.

“After a collision with that, we went through a hedge and ended up in a field. Miraculously we all survived and have suffered what can only be described in the big scheme of things as minor physical injuries.

“At the scene several people confirmed the manhole cover had been reported. One person gave a statement to that effect to the police that evening.

“I am trying to establish why these calls were not followed up and why our accident was allowed to happen. We are absolutely livid and also grateful there were no serious injuries, or worse. It doesn’t bear thinking about.”

See this week’s Aberystwyth paper for the full story, available in shops and as a digital edition now