A FAMILY have revealed they are facing months without a home after a skip lorry smashed through the front of their property.
Following the dramatic crash on Monday morning, the skip lorry was removed from the front of the home, in Haven Road, Canvey, on Monday night revealing the true extent of the damage.
Emma Doughty, partner Lee Spiller and mother Julie Harper, have now been told the there are a number of concerns over the structural instability of the home and it must be shut off until a full rebuild of the wall is carried out.
The family have now been moved to temporary accommodation and a fundraiser has been set up by Emma’s brother Matthew to help them rebuild their lives.
“We’re just waiting now. We’ve been told it could take months,” he said.
The 32-year-old, who lives in Benfleet with his wife and child, added: “We stood there and watched as they brought the lorry and everything around it out of the house.
“They’ve lost everything in that living room.
“When they get to temporary accommodation, it’s going to be unfurnished. That’s why I set up the GoFundMe, to help them furnish a new place.”
The family have praised lettings agent, Wilsonwood, who are providing alternative living arrangements.
The driver of the skip lorry, which belongs to firm B.W. Rice was arrested on suspicion of driving whilst under the influence of alcohol or drugs, suspicion of driving without due care and attention and suspicion of driving a vehicle in a dangerous condition.
He has been released under investigation for all three offences.
“We’re still in quite a bit of shock. We stayed at Matt’s last night and did struggle to sleep,” said Emma.
“We were here last night and waited until they got it out. It just about made it without pulling down the rest of the house.
“Lee is really angry. Not so much angry at the driver, but angry at the situation,” said Emma.
The incident on Monday morning saw a skip lorry smash through the front wall of the family’s living room. Although there were no human casualties, pet cat Austin was fatally injured.
The fundraiser has already raised more than half of its £1,000 target.
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