A CRASH victim who was cut free from her car after it flipped on the ice has told of her ordeal to highlight the need for cautious driving.

Abigail Holmes, 21, is recovering from minor injuries after her BMW overturned in treacherous conditions and landed on its roof.

It was one of 31 collisions reported to emergency services on Monday morning as freezing fog and ice caused chaos on the roads.

Abigail, who had been driving 15mph at the time, says she is 'extremely lucky' that the incident did not cost her life.

Speaking after the crash in Wimborne St Giles, she said: "It's safe to say I was being super careful. My mum had told me a few minutes before to be careful as she'd received a text from my step-dad warning us about the road conditions.

"I passed the church in the village after pulling out of my street and I was doing maybe 20mph. I saw the ice so slowed down to around 15mph but sadly the BMW was sliding frantically from side to side.

"I was of course, trying to battle the swerving and avoid braking too hard. Before I knew it, the car had swerved up into the verge of the hedge and I was flipped upside down with glass in my face."

Abigail said her initial thoughts had been of her boyfriend whose friend tragically lost his life in a bike accident three years earlier and to whom the car belonged. 

She said: "I was able to turn the engine off and undo my seatbelt. Forgetting about gravity, I fell into the roof of the BMW. My phone was lying right next to me but there was no signal no matter what I did. The horn also didn't work."

A neighbouring roofer was quick to come to Abigail's rescue, offering her a jacket and warm sugary tea whilst another neighbour called the emergency services.

She said: "The worst part was when the fire engine turned up about 30 minutes later and almost smashed into me as everyone around the car ran backwards and screamed 'it's going to hit you."

After being cut free from the car she was transferred to Poole Hospital and discharged four hours later with cuts and bruises.

Abigail added: "Nobody ever knows what to do in situations like this. I was told by the paramedics that had I been going at a normal speed, my injuries could have been much worse. My ordeal proved two things, speed doesn't matter and grit is very much needed on all busy roads."

Dorset Police have urged motorists to take heed of weather warnings and take extra care in these conditions.

Inspector Matt Butler said: "Don’t assume that the roads will be gritted and it is safe for you to drive as you normally would. If you do lose traction on ice, you are more likely to regain control if you are travelling slowly so keep your speed down and avoid harsh steering.

"Take responsibility for your own standard of driving."