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Driver escapes inferno after car tumbles down Welsh mountainside
A 32-year-old woman survived a harrowing crash in Denbighshire after her vehicle plunged more than 100 metres down a steep slope, bursting into flames moments after she escaped. Natalia Sidorska said her iPhone's automatic crash detection feature alerted emergency services, likely saving her life.
The crash
Sidorska lost control of her car on Horseshoe Pass, a winding A-road known for its sharp bends, late one evening in June 2025. She admitted she may have been driving too fast on the unfamiliar route, which has a 40mph speed limit.
"I didn't realise there was a very tight bend coming up, and when I did, it was too late," she recalled. The car veered off the road, rolling repeatedly before landing in a field. Airbags deployed as the vehicle bounced down the mountainside.
Trapped in a burning wreck
When the car finally stopped, Sidorska found herself pinned under the back seat. "I opened my eyes and realised I was still alive," she said. Moments later, she heard a clicking sound and smelled smoke. "I realised the car was on fire."
Unable to move due to leg injuries, she struggled to open the doors. Believing she would die, she considered falling unconscious to avoid the flames. Then she remembered she had locked the doors before driving. She unlocked them, crawled out, and rolled away just seconds before the car exploded.
Rescue and recovery
Emergency services, including firefighters and mountain rescue teams, arrived about 20 minutes later. Sidorska credited her iPhone's crash detection-activated by sensors during the impact-for summoning help so quickly. "I don't think I would have been found that fast otherwise," she said.
She spent four months in hospital and underwent three surgeries for life-changing injuries, including severe damage to her ankle and spine. Doctors removed her talus bone after an infection ruled out metal implants, leaving her with a permanent disability.
Rebuilding her life
Sidorska has since relocated to Liverpool with her 10-year-old son. She praised her family's support, calling them her "rock," and said her son had been remarkably understanding. Liverpool City Council has offered her a new home, and she hopes to retrain as a Polish interpreter after previously working in property management.
"I've been offered a beautiful house now, so I'm positive."
Natalia Sidorska
Returning to the road
Despite the trauma, Sidorska has resumed driving using an adapted mobility car. She reflected on the crash, acknowledging her role in the accident. "It wasn't the car that failed. It was me," she said. "If you drive, no matter how good you are, always be cautious."
