A BRAVE teacher has spoken of the terrifying moment she feared her pupils would be killed as an elderly motorist ploughed into their classroom.

Cath Taylor, a career and industry link teacher at Green Hall School, Atherton, told how she saw the car hurtling towards the home economics room where she was teaching 14 15-year-olds.

Harold Schofield, believed to be in his late 70s, was reversing out of his drive in Green Hall Close, Atherton opposite the school when he lost control of the vehicle.

It crashed through metal railings and flattened shrubs before careering across grass and smashing into the wooden wall of the classroom, severing gas and water pipes and electricity cables.

Mrs Taylor told how she saw the Citroen Xantia coming off the drive out of the corner of her eye.

"It all happened so suddenly," she said.

"The next minute I could see the car picking up speed. I thought it was going to hit the railings outside school.

"What it actually did was demolish the railings, and still picking up speed, headed straight for us."

The car smashed through the wall, struck a tumble drier and washing machine as well as the two tables where the children were sitting.

It was only a scream from Mrs Taylor as the car hit the wall that made the children jump out of the way a split second before the car ended up where they had been sitting.

"It was a miracle no one was killed," said Mrs Taylor, who quickly got the children out of the room and called for help.

"I could see the driver and he wasn't moving and I thought he was dead," said Mrs Taylor.

"There was petrol leaking all over the classroom floor and smoke was coming from the engine."

"The paramedics, firefighters, police, staff and children were all magnificent in the face of adversity." Nine children and Mrs Taylor were taken to the Royal Bolton Hospital suffering from shock and bruising and 15 years old Gareth Sloan of Norfolk Road, Atherton, was kept in overnight for observation.

The school caters for 114 children aged four to 16 with moderate learning difficulties.

Following the crash the school was evacuated, parents contacted and special buses laid on to take the children home.

Neighbour Darren Eckersley, who rescued Mr Schofield, told how he was in his garden in the quiet street with his children when he heard a car engine.

"I saw the car going flashing through the fence and into the school," said the 37-year-old property developer.

The pupils fled from the room but after a few minutes Mr Eckersley realised Mr Schofield had not got out of the car.

"I seriously thought he was dead because he was just sat there not moving," he said.

He went to Mr Schofield's rescue, climbing over glass and debris to reach the passenger door.

Then, to his horror, he realised that he was standing in water.

"I was shouting to the people in the school to go and turn the electricity off. Water was spewing out all over me," said Mr Eckersley.

"I only realised when I got in there what kind of peril I was in."

Mr Schofield was led from his car in a state of shock and the vehicle was later moved by firemen after they had made the classroom safe.

Neighbours Brian and Joan Brown told how they heard two bangs as the car hit the railings and school wall and at first feared carnage when they saw the damage.

"There was one boy lying on the floor. He was scratched on his stomach," said Mrs Brown.

"There was a smell of gas as well.

Head teacher Tony Triska said: "We have to be grateful this was not worse than it was," he said.

"Buildings can be rebuilt, bodies can't. We heard this dreadful noise which at first sounded like an explosion.

"Miraculously we found that no one was hurt.

"The staff would also like to thank everyone who helped, including emergency services and neighbours."

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