A LITTLE Downham woman has praised an heroic group of people who freed her from the wreckage of a car and tended to her family after a head-on crash. And Tracy Chambers, of North Fen, has called for a change in the law to make booster seats, like the one

A LITTLE Downham woman has praised an heroic group of people who freed her from the wreckage of a car and tended to her family after a head-on crash.

And Tracy Chambers, of North Fen, has called for a change in the law to make booster seats, like the one which may have saved her daughter's life, compulsory for youngsters.

Mrs Chambers, 40, was driving on the A10 Littleport to Ely bypass on Friday evening when she and her family were involved in a head-on collision with a sports car.

"There was no way to avoid it," Mrs Chambers said. She and husband Nick, along with 16-year-old Luke and nine-year-old Natasha, were thrown around their Nissan Turano 4x4 vehicle as the car rolled across the road.

"As the car was sliding across the road, it felt as if it was never going to end," she said.

"Natasha was screaming in the back but there was nothing I could do."

As the car slid to a halt with all of the family on the driver's side, Luke managed to free himself and his young sister from the upright car while Mr Chambers got out to help his stricken family.

Tracy, however, was trapped inside the vehicle, and six to eight motorists, including two trained first-aiders from RAF Marham and two people from St John Ambulance, rushed to the Chambers' aid.

"I remember them saying they were going to get me out," Mrs Chambers said.

"One of the ladies from RAF Marham and two men pulled me out of the car and others looked after my husband and the children."

The family were shaking and Mrs Chambers remembers some of the group taking off their jumpers and jackets to keep each of them warm.

"They were really thoughtful. They phoned my parents so they could look after the children and they kept talking to us.

"All I can remember is someone called Steve, who took his coat off to keep me warm," she said. "I just want to say a big thank you to all of them."

Mr Chambers' forearm was badly cut while his wife has a fractured foot and damaged ligaments in her thumb.

Mr Chambers returned home on Tuesday following a skin graft operation and Mrs Chambers, who works as an holistic therapist, will be recovering for at least a month.

Although the children suffered only minor injuries, Mrs Chambers believes the situation could have been very different.

"The paramedics said we were really lucky that Natasha was on a booster cushion," she said.

The polystyrene platform raised the nine-year-old out of her seat, and may have prevented the seatbelt straps from choking her when the two cars collided.

"I just hope everybody realises that young children need booster seats or cushions," Mrs Chambers said.

A change in the law to make the seats compulsory would save lives, she said. "Natasha's been moaning at me to come out of the seat but it was very lucky she was in it."

n Advice from the Department of Transport recommends that children between four and six and weighing 15-25kgs should use a booster seat, and that children aged between 6-11, and 22-36kgs should use a booster cushion.

Many complete booster seats, like Natasha's, have detachable backs to allow them to be converted to booster cushions when children reach an appropriate age and weight.

Although the seats are not compulsory, MPs will be considering a change in the law in the autumn. A spokesman for Cambridgeshire Constabulary said police safety specialists encourage the use of booster seats and cushions for children in the appropriate age range.

He said the incident is under investigation and the driver of the other car involved was being treated for serious injuries.

INFO: Police are appealing for witnesses. Anyone with any information can call 01480 4564564.