BBC Radio 5 Live star in terrifying motorway crash with lorry and car
BBC Radio 5 Live presenter Nihal Arthanayake has shared the scary details of a "terrifying" crash he was involved in on the motorway.
Arthanayake revealed that his wife and son were in the car with him when they collided with another vehicle, which had been struck by a lorry on the M60.
In his post on X, formerly Twitter, the broadcaster recounted how he "clung on to that steering wheel for dear life" to maintain control of his car and prevent it from smashing into the central reservation.
He also shared that, miraculously, he and his family "walked away" unscathed from the accident, which occurred around 7pm yesterday, and that no other injuries were reported.
He shared a photo showing significant damage to the rear left side of his car, with the panel hanging off and a sizeable dent above the wheel arch.
Accompanying the image, posted on Tuesday evening, Arthanayake wrote: "Two hours ago a lorry hit a car which hit me on the M60. I clung onto that steering wheel for dear life to try and keep the car steady and not hit the central reservation. Wife next to me and son in the back. Terrifying."
He also shared the terrifying ordeal on Instagram as he wrote: "Well, this just happened. As I passed the lorry in the middle lane unbeknownst to me that same lorry had hit a car in front of it which came sliding sideways across the middle lane and hit me on the back passenger door and ripped off a side of the car over the back wheel.
"I struggled to take control trying to prevent my car spinning out of control and hitting the central reservation. As I held on to the steering wheel for dear life trying to steady my car all I could think about was my wife sitting next to me and my son in the back of the car and making sure my car did not spin out of control.
"The driver of the car that hit me is lucky to be alive. As I think we all are too. Not sure why I am telling you all this from the side of the M60. My wife is talking to the police. I have never been involved in a car crash before. No serious harm done as far as we can tell. Most likely in shock. Perhaps that's why I am posting this, as a way of processing it myself. F**k."
Celebrities and fans sent their well-wishes to Arthanayake following the scary event, reports the Mirror.
This Morning host Dermot O'Leary wrote: "Holy s**t. Hope you’re ok x", while Loose Women's Charlene White said: "My goodness Nihal. Thank goodness you’re all okay xx."
Dan Walker said: "Glad everyone is ok x", while Lisa Snowdon commented: "Omg Nihal. Thank goodness you’re both ok."
The scary incident comes one month after it was announced Arthanayake will will leave his daytime show on BBC Radio 5 Live and front a new Sunday evening interview show for the station, as well as an extended podcast.
