Hero dad detains driver after crash

Jan 30 2007 By Adam Smith, Birmingham Mail

A SHOCKED dad gave chase to a driver and his two passengers after a stolen car careered into his garden and hit his young son.

Martin Proffitt rugby-tackled one of the passengers and was helped by neighbours to detain him until police arrived.

He sprang into action after his son, Reece, aged nine, dived for safety to avoid being hit head-on by the out-of-control car.

The vehicle hit the boy's leg before stopping in the garden, after knocking down a signpost and smashing through a fence.

Today Martin, of Round Road, Birches Green Estate, Erdington, said: "It was all so quick. It is scary to think my son's life could have been over in a flash.

"I heard the car coming round the corner and go into the wrong lane so I expected it to crash into another car but it swerved towards our garden and towards Reece and his friends.

"It is every parent's worst nightmare. God knows how he got out of the way quickly enough. I saw them get out of the car and run and I couldn't stop myself chasing the driver because I was that angry.

"The driver was too fast for me but then I saw one of the passengers in my garden and went after him instead."

The 34-year-old dad, who is a medical distribution driver, added: "I managed to catch up with him and rugby tackled him and by that time a few neighbours joined in the chase and got hold of him for the police."

The incident happened on Sunday afternoon.

Reece, who attends Birches Green Primary School, was treated in Good Hope Hospital before being allowed home.

He said: "I know I am really really lucky and that I could have been killed if I had not seen it coming towards me."

Reece's father said the accident was the latest in a series and is now demanding speed humps to improve safety.

Police arrested two men, aged 20 and 18, on suspicion of motoring offences. They are helping with inquiries.