Dad's miracle escape from death after car ploughs into tree during 100mph race

Daily Mirror

05-07-2025

Michael Moates, 24, recounted his astonishing survival following the terrifying crash, where he narrowly avoided death in a major rally competition
A young dad has miraculously survived after his car smashed into a tree at 100mph during a high-speed rally race.
Michael Moates recounted his astonishing survival following the terrifying crash, where he narrowly avoided death in a significant rally competition. The co-driver found himself trapped and in excruciating pain, hanging upside down just moments after his vehicle veered off course, spun out, and flipped over before colliding with the tree.
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The 24-year-old, from Aberdeen, sustained a fractured spine and collarbone but believes that a last-minute twist of the car averted what would have been a deadly direct impact. His fellow driver, Justin Gunning, emerged without a scratch.
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The harrowing incident occurred at the Argyll Rally, which featured cars speeding through the centre of Dunoon on Friday, June 20, reports the Daily Record.
Emergency services were quick to arrive at the scene near Ardtaraig, about 10 miles from Dunoon. In a stroke of luck, the pair narrowly missed a fiery catastrophe as both the fuel tank and engine remained intact.
Father-of-two Michael expressed his gratitude for being alive, saying: "I'm very lucky to still be here. If the car hadn't spun we would have hit the tree head on and I don't think either of us would have survived."
He added: "I was knocked unconscious by the force. When I came to, I could feel that I was being crushed. My seat had been compressed and the back of the car had come down on us.
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"The force had also snapped my seat in two."
Determined to survive, he thought: "I just said to myself 'it's not my time'. All I could think about was getting out of the car. I knew I needed urgent help."
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Heroic onlookers dashed to the wreckage to rescue Michael from the remains of the Renault Clio. Paramedics were on the scene swiftly, with an air ambulance dispatched. Michael received emergency treatment at Glasgow's Queen Elizabeth University Hospital's major trauma unit.
Reflecting on his experience, he said: "It was like something out of a TV show, but I was in the middle of it I remember landing and the paramedic told me there was about to be a lot of commotion around me.
"I couldn't believe it when I went into the trauma centre. There were doctors and nurses everywhere."
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He expressed his disbelief at the turn of events: "I was just in shock at that point. I never thought doing the sport I love would end up like this."
Michael's scans showed two smashed vertebrae in his spine and a fractured collarbone, yet miraculously he had no internal bleeding, which he attributes to the superior safety features of the rally car.
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Emergency surgery was performed to place metal supports in his spine, with the doctors anticipating a lengthy hospital stay.
Defying expectations, Michael commenced walking only three days post-surgery and was relocated to Aberdeen Royal Infirmary on June 27.
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By July 2, Wednesday, Michael was back home with his partner Kirsty and their two young lads, Oscar-James, aged two, and four-year old Noah-Flynn.
He shared an emotional clip showing him leaving the hospital for his car, crutches in hand and donning a back brace.
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Reflecting on his rapid progress, he commented: "The speed of my recovery has been nothing short of a miracle. I was warned I could be in the hospital for months. I started properly walking again just a week after the crash. That was an emotional moment for me. I was just so determined to get home.
"I was in a critical condition 12 days ago, so to be able to walk out of the hospital is amazing. I was in tears. It was a really emotional moment for me.
"I shouldn't have been able to come home but I did. I think someone was watching over me that day. All the team of doctors, surgeons and nurses were incredible. I can't thank everyone enough, from the on-site medics, air ambulance crew and spectators who helped.
"Everyone has just shown so much support and I'll never forget it."