A WOMAN who “miraculously” survived a crash after a tree slammed into her car has described her terrifying ordeal.

Katie Smith, 54, from Poundbury said it was a “miracle” she and her husband survived after their car was smashed by a falling tree on the A35 on Wednesday morning.

The early-morning smash involved three cars and saw the major Dorset road closed at Wareham Forest for several hours.

Mrs Smith has spoken out about what happened to reassure everyone concerned about her welfare and thank the “amazing” emergency services who came to her aid.

She said: “My husband and I were driving to work, very early in the morning as we had to be at work at 6am.

“Suddenly, out of nowhere the tree and branches slammed onto our car.

“I thought my husband was dead. All glass had come in but we thought we were relatively okay.

“Then we saw smoke coming from the bonnet and thought the car was going to catch fire.

“The front doors wouldn’t open, so we had to clamber into the back and push at the door on the driver’s side to get it open.

“We were just ensconced in branches.”

At the time, the South Western Ambulance Service said that this was a suspected break but she has confirmed that she had not sustained serious injuries.

She said: “I still don’t know what happened but my husband said he heard me scream.

“I was terrified. I just wanted to get away from the car.

“What happened yesterday was a miracle – we should have died three times.”

The South Western Ambulance Service, Dorset Fire and Rescue and Dorset Police were all called to the scene at 5.30am.

Mrs Smith added: “The ambulance was there within 15 minutes and they were amazing.

“There was also this really lovely guy who gave me his coat. I was in the ambulance by 6am.

“I want people to know how good the ambulance service were.

“The fire brigade were there so quickly too and were fantastic.

“Everyone afterwards, including our family, have been amazing.

“Miraculously, although I’m badly bruised, my leg wasn’t broken – I still don’t know how.

“Perhaps some of the branches took the impact.

“We’re very grateful to be alive. What are the chances of a tree branch falling and hitting your car.

“We are so grateful to the ambulance service and the police.”