A FATHER says he and his family are 'lucky to be alive' after a car crashed into their family home, nearly taking his wife's 'head off'.

Mel Beattie and her 15-year-old daughter Tash are still recovering in Worcestershire Royal Hospital after the Audi A4 drove into their house in Battenhall Rise, Worcester last night.

The family was enjoying a glass of wine and some cheese when the car ploughed into the front of their house just before 10.30pm.

Mrs Beattie, aged 53, has seven broken ribs and a punctured lung and daughter Tash has two broken ribs and a broken ankle.

Mr Beattie, aged 61, who was unhurt in the incident, said his first concern now was for his wife and daughter and he did not wish to make a comment on the driver.

However, he said the male driver ‘scarpered’ after the crash at 10.26pm, climbing out of the passenger side of the vehicle.

He added: “I only saw the back of him. I didn’t see his face. There was dust and fumes everywhere. Inside is just blitzed. We’re all lucky to be alive.”

Mrs Beattie had been on a settee with her back to the window when the car hit the back of it, pushing it across the room.

He said: “How Mel is alive I’ll never know. She should have had her head taken off. The settee was pushed right across the room.”

Mel was on a second settee and Mr Beattie was sitting next to the door.

He said: “The Audi A4 was a foot and a half from my face. My main concern is my wife and daughter.”

He said he hoped they could be discharged from hospital by the end of the week but they are being kept in at the moment under observation.

The family has lived at the property since 2000.

The gable end of the house is now unstable and will need to be rebuilt.

The house front is boarded up and a workman was there today. 

Debris from the car and tape from the fire service remains at the scene.

The Hereford and Worcester Fire and Rescue Service confirmed there were two casualties and one rescue and that the incident had been 'left with police'.

Utilities had to be isolated and a gas fire extinguished using one hosereel.

The building was described as 'structurally unsound'. Crews from Worcester and Droitwich attended together with the ambulance service.

West Mercia Police has confirmed that no arrests have yet been made but a spokesperson for the force said all efforts were being made to identify him.

The police are appealing for anyone with information about how the crash happened or the identity of the driver to come forward by calling 101, quoting incident reference 786s of March 23.