A pothole caused at least eight flat tyres in just two hours.

I was called at 1pm yesterday to be informed of problems being endured by driver Jessica Jolly, 18, whose tyre blew when she went through a water-filled pothole in High Street, Ongar, near the Four Wants roundabout.

The waitress, who has been driving for just over a year said: “I just felt a crash. I was only expecting a puddle.

“My wheel started pulling to the left. It was scary and I panicked because I thought I was going into the pavement.”

But while speaking to Miss Jolly and her father as they waited in the rain, the pothole caused more damage.

Tom Searle from Romford, Michael Bradley, Alan Smith from Ongar, and Andrew and Marlena Regens, who were visiting from Melbourne, Australia, were all forced to pullover due to punctures.

Mr Smith said: “It’s a pig of a hole. My wheel took a hell of a clout and now the rim’s distorted I worry a new tyre might not fit.”

The pensioner, who was suffering from a frozen shoulder, had to change the wheel himself.
Mr Bradley added: “All of a sudden there was a loud bang and a shudder then my car started veering to the left.”

The Regens said: “It just looked like a puddle but then there was a big thud.

“The roads here have not been terrific.”

As I left the scene, I saw Wayne Brown, 31, from Dartford forced to pull over after hitting the hole.
Other cars were seen with punctures.

 

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