A FAMILY was lucky to escape with their lives after a lorry smashed through their home.

The semi-detached house, in Bridge End Road, Stratton, was hit by a DAF Broadleaze Transport truck at about 3.30am on Friday, destroying the front porch.

It struck just inches away from where 16-year-old Jason Clark was sleeping in a downstairs bedroom.

The Kingsdown School pupil felt the walls shake and plaster rubble fall on top of him.

"It was the scariest moment of my life," said Jason, who later that day attended his school prom at the De Vere Hotel.

"I could see the truck's headlights, which lit up the room.

"And it still had its engine running as it was trying to reverse out from the house.

"The walls were cracking and floorboards snapped under the carpet.

"We got out when I threw the garage key to the fire brigade as you can't open the door from the inside.

"I got a few cuts and bruises and that was all."

Mum Sabina, 44, who had just moved her family into the property two weeks ago, was flung out of bed by the crash - and in her eagerness to get to her son she fell down the stairs pulling muscle ligaments in her leg.

"I thought it was an earthquake at first or maybe a train had derailed, as a track runs behind our house," said mum-of-two Sabina.

"The whole house seemed to have shifted back a bit.

"Then I saw the lorry, which was facing directly into our porch. I couldn't believe it.

"I have to say Jason is the luckiest boy in the world.

"One of the men from the fire crews said it as well and even asked Jason for the Lottery numbers next week!

"It's still a lot to take in and I can't get over it at the moment."

Younger brother Bradley, 12, who was sleeping upstairs, added: "I heard the lorry's brakes screeching which woke me up then a loud bang."

The truck was travelling without a trailer but the crash was so big it even wiped out the Clark's electricity. The 999 call had to be made from Jason's mobile phone instead.

The family is now staying with relatives in Stratton while damage to the house is accessed by loss adjusters.

Jason's bedroom is currently being held up by six steel props positioned by the fire brigade.

Sabina says it will be months before they move back in and the damage caused will run into thousands of pounds, although she said her insurance would cover costs.

A police spokesman said: "The lorry had to take evasive action from a parked car on the road, before it struck a lamppost and struck the house.

"There was also rain on the road with a puddle on the bend."

A recovery team took more than two hours to remove the truck.

If anyone witnessed the accident, please call Andy Stanley of the Northern Roads Policing Unit on 0845 408 7000.