West Pinchbeck youngster Harriet (8) was family heroine after car crash

A brave eight-year-old girl calmly ensured her family got help after their car skidded on black ice and crashed into a dyke.

Victoria Hopkinson (37), of West Pinchbeck, was driving along Beck Bank in Gosberton Clough just after 8.30am last Monday when her car slipped out of control on ice, nose dived into a dyke and landed driver’s side down with her and three children, including Harriet Barnett (8), inside.

The six-week-old Ford Puma has a feature that contacts emergency services if airbags are activated. The call came through on the speaker system– but Victoria was unconscious.

Diabetic son Toby Barnett (6) had been sick, while other son James Barnett (9) is autistic and was shaken up – but daughter Harriet kept her cool and stepped in.

Proud dad Jonathan Barnett explained: “She was able to keep calm and speak to the emergency services. She said ‘my mum has been in a car accident.Is there any way you can help? She’s not awake’.”

A passer by got the children out of the car but Victoria had to be cut free by firefighters and was taken to Pilgrim Hospital.

She is badly bruised and has a broken shoulder and collarbone but was able to go home that night. The children suffered cuts and bruises.

Toby was flown to a Nottingham hospital to monitor his diabetes before being discharged the next day.

Mr Barnett said he had been driving through Boston at the time of the incident, and explained: “It was frightening. I didn’t know where they were and couldn’t get through.”

Mr Barnett –whose 42nd birthday was on the same day as the crash – praised his quick-witted daughter’s mature response and wanted to raise awareness of the way that modern car features can come to the rescue in dangerous situations.

“Harriet’s absolutely amazing – her actions did help and made the situation less bad.

Nobody goes down that road – they could’ve been stuck for a while.

“For her age she’s very very clever. My wife suffers with her mental health and Harriet is a rock. She’s always there to help her mum – she’s very grown up.”

Mr Barnett said teachers at Quadring Primary School, where his children go, have also expressed their pride in Harriet to Mr Barnett.