LETHBRIDGE – A woman left paralyzed after a car accident two years ago is devastated after her wheelchair-accessible van went up in flames Tuesday night.
The Lethbridge fire department was called to her north side home, located in the 100 block of 14th street south, after a neighbour spotted a vehicle fire.
“It was really scary. There were about five to six explosions that just rocked. I didn’t know what was exploding but I could just feel the fire,” says Mike Prete.
The van’s owner, Mae Robertson, purchased the vehicle only three months ago.
“It’s all the means of transportation I have and now we cannot get anywhere,” Robertson said.
Robertson can no longer work and has been struggling financially since the car crash.
“I was coming up the west side hill on November 21, 2014. There was a three-tonne truck that broke down that was still in the passing lane. I swerved around him and an 18-wheeler ran over my vehicle,” Robertson explained.
“They told me I would never move anything from the neck down for the rest of my life.”
Robertson says the van has allowed her to have some sense of freedom.
“If anyone can help I would really appreciate it,” Robertson says.
The past two years have been a nightmare emotionally and financially, she says.
“I need all the help I can get right now and most people that know me know I don’t ask for help.”
Fortunately her house suffered minimal damage.
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