Little Jennifer Simpson cashed in on an amazing slice of luck after she swallowed a pound coin.

The coin had stuck in her throat leaving her choking for breath and her parents feared the worst as they made a desperate dash to hospital.

Her life was only saved thanks to a road accident which wrote off the car - but dislodged the coin.

The three-year-old escaped completely uninjured, but her big brother Thomas, eight, suffered head injuries in the accident.

The coin was later removed by doctors and now both youngsters are recovering at home in Fern Bank Terrace, Yeadon.

Jennifer's mum Linda, 39, said the family were only two minutes away from casualty at Wharfedale Hospital in Otley but her daughter was falling in and out of consciousness and she feared she would not last.

Suddenly the car, driven by her husband Alan, 43, skidded and was struck side-on by a van as it careered into the on-coming lane of Billam's Hill in Otley.

"We're just looking on it as a little bit of a miracle because she wouldn't have made it to the hospital even though we were only two minutes away at that stage," said Mrs Simpson.

"The accident just dislodged it - I couldn't really believe it.

"She came off without a scratch from the whole thing and is now back with a vengeance to her old self - she's smashing.

"The accident must have moved it further back so it wasn't blocking her airway."

Mrs Simpson said she would in particular like to thank a Good Samaritan who stopped his car after the accident and ferried her, Thomas and Jennifer to hospital.

In the confusion she did not get his name but he even returned to Mr Simpson to let him know his family were all right.

The coin was finally removed seven hours after the accident after Jennifer was transferred to Leeds General Infirmary.

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