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So lucky to be alive
From the Lancashire Evening Telegraph, first published Friday 7th Jan 2005.
A COUPLE who escaped death twice have been reunited with the parents who almost lost them forever.
Matthew Taylor, 30, and Angela Moody, 25, escaped with their lives when their coach plunged down a ravine in Malasia. The accident prevented them heading into the path of the tsunami.
They arrived back home in Blackburn yesterday and said they felt the horrific crash was a "blessing in disguise."
And they were greeted by their overjoyed parents, who hugged with relief the children who cheated death.
Angela's father Colin, 55, said: "It has been a real rollercoaster. We are so glad to have them home."
The couple were being driven to a Penang beach resort in Malaysia on December 23 when their coach veered off the road and plunged 60ft, killing five people.
Three days later, some 68 people died on Penang's coastline as the massive tidal wave from the Indian Ocean earthquake struck.
By that time the couple were safely out of its path, being treated in a Malaysian hospital for cuts, bruises and cracked ribs.
Matthew said: "It's hard to get your head around. It makes you wonder whether the crash was a blessing in disguise.
"It has certainly made me realise now that there is a very thin line between life and death."
Angela added: "We have asked 'why did we survive and why did this happen to prevent us being there?'. We feel so lucky to be alive."
At the home of Angela's parents Colin and Barbara, in Woodside Grove, Livesey, they told how the horrifying crash unfolded.
Matthew said: "The driver was going too fast. The coach was leaning as we went around corners.
"As we started to go around a very sharp bend I knew we would not be able to get around."
Angela added: "I was sat on the left next to the window. We dropped to the left and everyone shouted 'No'. There was an almighty bang then the bus hit the road and we slid along and at some point I must have fallen out as I felt the bus go over me.
"I was on the floor and the first thing I thought was 'I'm alive'. I saw the bus go down the hill and the roof come off.
"I felt absolute terror because I saw Matthew on the bus. My right arm was covered in blood but I thought I have to get to the bottom. I ran down the hill screaming Matt's name. I have never shouted that loud.
"I saw him sat with his foot trapped underneath the bus."
Matthew, whose dad Tony is from Clitheroe and mother Carole from Morecambe, said: "I remember people falling on me in the coach from the right, then we started to go down the slope and I was conscious of the roof falling off. I didn't know what to do. People we falling all over.
"I am not sure if I went unconscious but the next thing I remember was having my foot under the bus."
Matthew freed his foot and the couple were taken to hospital, where they remained until Boxing Day.
They were not allowed home until yesterday as Angela still needed hospital treatment for her injured ribs.
The couple were 19 months into a "fantastic" round-the-world trip that had also seen them visit South Africa, Australia, New Zealand and Singapore.
After Angela had become a fully-qualified social worker they sold their house in Revidge, car and Matthew gave up his job as an accountant with Lucite International in Darwen for the trip.
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