A motorist has spoken of his relief after he miraculously emerged from his crushed vehicle with just a few minor cuts and bruises, after being pushed almost 30ft by a runaway coach.

Accountant Thomas Tucker’s car was the first of six vehicles to be smashed during the major collision on Friday, August 27, which saw seven people injured.

Witnesses said it was a miracle no one was killed as the coach crashed into oncoming traffic before hitting three shops at 5.30pm.

Mr Tucker, 44, from Streatham Vale, was driving along Carshalton High Street on his way home from work when the coach veered across the road towards him.

He was shunted along, smashing into other cars before crashing into shops near the end of the high street, close to a large pond.

Witnesses who had rushed to help him said they were amazed when he climbed out of the car relatively unscathed.

He said: “It was my worst nightmare. I do not know what was going through my mind at the time. I just knew I was not going to die and I was not scared. I do not know why. There must have been angels with me.”

Although Mr Tucker emerged from the car with only cuts and bruises he has subsequently suffered from mental trauma.

He said: “I have not been able to sleep much since it happened. I keep having nightmares the coach did not stop and I am trapped, sinking in the pond.

“The psychological trauma becomes more severe as the days go by but I am doing my best to get back to normal. I drove again on Sunday because I wanted to get back in a car as soon as possible, but I cannot face driving in the same direction yet.”

Mr Tucker has now returned to work.

Witnesses said they thought the accident may have been caused by children on the privately-hired coach distracting the driver.

Three youths were arrested in connection with the crash, and have been bailed while police enquiries continue. The coach driver was not arrested.