A WOMAN has described the sense of loss and despair she has felt since a vehicle dramatically crashed through the side of her home in January.

Julie Bower, from Maryport, is now living in a two-bedroom flat on the other side of the town. She said she is desperately missing her son, grandson, and neighbours but has been told it could be up to 12 months before the house can be reoccupied.

Julie's nightmare began just before two in the morning on January 23, when her smoke alarm awoke her.

"I had been sleeping heavily," the 61-year-old said. "I went started going downstairs and couldn't believe it. My fridge and freezer were in the hallway. Then I saw the car in the kitchen and then there was police and fire service here."

She said she was quite disorientated and suddenly realised her seven-year-old grandson, who often stayed with her for weekends, could have been in the house.

"I was frantic until I remembered that he had gone home earlier on Sunday evening."

She said it was hard to get the image out of her mind of what could have happened if she had been on one of her regular nightly visits to the kitchen to get water, or if her grandson had been there.

Times and Star: The car which careened through the wall.The car which careened through the wall. (Image: Supplied)

The Castle and Coasts Ellenfoot Drive house has been her home for 26 years.

Now she is in a two-bedroom flat in Fleming Square, on the other side of town from her son and grandson and to the neighbours she has known for so many years.

She was evacuated from her home and not allowed back in. Instead, Castle and Coast staff took everything from her house, including Christmas decorations, in black bags.

"I don't have any storage here so the second bedroom is just full of black bags and I am living out of them in my bedroom," she said.

She said with having to bear all the setbacks following the accident she feels that it was all her fault.

"I stopped my house insurance in November last year because I could no longer afford it and am trying to see if the driver's insurance will pay for the loss of my goods including the fridge and freezer, table and more."

Times and Star:

Castle and Coasts accepted that it would be some time before Julie's house was fit to live in - or even safe enough to go back to - but said they are working to helpo her in any way they can.

Anna Bates, head of housing at Castles and Coasts Housing Association, said: “We’re extremely sorry that this accident happened. We understand how upsetting and disruptive this is for our resident. We are committed to working with her, to ensure she is supported and has everything she needs.

“Since the shocking incident on January 23, we have been in regular contact with her, to ensure she is kept up to date in relation to her home and to make sure she has everything she needs.

"I’ve been in touch with the resident personally, to ask if there is anything more we could do to support her. We have also offered a choice of alternative homes - including a nearby bungalow closer to family.

“A lot of work is required to the structure of the property before we can complete any internal works.

"We are working with the local authority, insurers and the police, to ensure this is progressed as a matter of priority and we will of course continue to keep her updated on likely timescales for this work.

“We remain absolutely committed to continuing to offer support to our resident for as long as it’s needed, to make sure she has what she needs at this very difficult time, while also understanding the significant works needed on the affected property, to make it safe and habitable again, before she could move back in."