A woman whose partner died in a horror crash told a court today that she felt like she was in a washing machine when the cars collided.
Patricia McPherson was left with bone fractures and a head injury following the two-vehicle smash on the A952 on October 3, 2014.
The 52-year-old said has been unable to return to her work as the head cashier at a solicitors firm where she had been employed for 25 years because of her injuries.
Pauline Flynn is on trial accused of causing the death of Henry McPherson, who was driving his partner’s Vauxhall Corsa when the crash happened near Ardallie in Aberdeenshire.
The 36-year-old allegedly crashed into the other car after crossing on to the other side of the road as she was travelling towards Aberdeen.
Giving evidence in court yesterday, Mrs McPherson said she could remember the night that the collision happened two years ago.
She said: “I became aware that I was to be in a crash when I saw lights cross from the other carriageway lighting up the central line, the driving line of the road.
“The lights were right in my face.
“The next thing I remember after that is a feeling like I was in a washing machine.
“It was a bit surreal. I felt like I was in a washing machine going round and round and can remember hearing myself screaming.
“And I can remember looking over at Harry and he had a look of fear on his face that I had never seen in my life.”
Mrs McPherson described Mr McPerson as a masculine man who would not have shown anyone when he was scared.
She went on: “I think he knew it wasn’t going to end well.”
Mrs McPherson said her partner of 34 years, who was known as Harry, had his arms stretched straight out in front on him on the steering wheel.
She said she then felt as if she was being crushed from the front of her chest to her back and could barely breathe.
Mrs McPherson said: “I can remember being in the car and feeling crushed and I can remember a strange smell of earth or soil.
“I couldn’t understand why I was smelling earth. I didn’t at that stage realise the situation I was in.
“I didn’t realise I was in a crash.”
The jury heard Mrs McPherson had undergone surgical procedures to have fractured bones reset and still attends hospital and suffers ongoing head pains.
Defence lawyer Susan Duffy asked Mrs McPherson if she wanted someone to be responsible for the death of Harry and her injuries.
She replied: “I don’t want anyone to be responsible for that no. I want to have my partner back.”
Flynn, of Mintlaw in Aberdeenshire, denies the offence of causing death by careless driving. The trial continues.
