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A County Durham mum living on the notorious Kinninvie crossroads says she is living in "utter fear" after a car smashed into her home for the third time in six years.
Jen Horton is convinced it is only a matter of time before someone is killed after another serious crash at the crossroads near Barnard Castle on Tuesday (October 13).
Emergency services were called shortly before 9am when a BMW and an Audi collided then hit Jen's home. The Audi driver, a woman in her 60s, suffered serious injuries and was airlifted to James Cook University Hospital while a 35-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of causing serious injury by dangerous driving.
Crash at Kinninvie Crossroads 2026. (Image: SARAH CALDECOTT)
Jen, a former midwife whose home has suffered extensive damage yet again, has urged Durham County Council to introduce more safety measures as she is too scared to enter her dining room in case a car smashes through the wall.
The council said it appreciated Jen's concerns and will consider any changes deemed appropriate.
The grandmother told the Echo: "I'm angry
"Is it going to take someone dying for them to do something?"
"I don't use the dining room because I'm so scared we'll get hit again. When my granddaughter comes round I won't let her in that room. I latch the door so no one can go in.
Crash at Kinninvie Crossroads 2026. (Image: SARAH CALDECOTT)
"I feel utter fear.
"We moved here in 2020 and spent all our savings to do up the house.
"The council said they would make provisions to make the roads safer when we first moved in but nothing has been done.
"We can't afford to move. I can't find a new house - I'm trapped.
"I love the house and I love the area, but they need to make it safer."
A fleet of 999 crews descended on the B6279 after the crash on Tuesday and firecrews had to cut the top of the Audi to help the injured woman to safety, Jen said.
"It was so loud," she said. "I just thought, 'Great, here we go again.'
Crash at Kinninvie Crossroads 2026. (Image: SARAH CALDECOTT)
"There was a woman trapped in the car. They had to cut the top of the car off to get her out."
Ms Horton has called on the council to introduce permanent traffic lights or speed bumps.
She said previous owners also raised safety concerns and moved away because they no longer felt safe beside the junction.
Crash at Kinninvie Crossroads 2026. (Image: SARAH CALDECOTT)
It is the third time a vehicle has struck the property since she moved in.
Dave Lewin, Durham County Council’s strategic traffic manager, said: “We were sorry to hear of the crash at Kinninvie and first and foremost, our thoughts are with the person who was injured.
“While we have no information regarding the cause of the crash, we do appreciate Jen Horton's concerns.
“We have previously implemented several improvements designed to slow traffic and improve safety at the junction, including stop signs, road markings and vehicle-activated warning signs. These measures have been installed well in advance of the junction to help ensure they are clearly visible to drivers.
“We will continue to monitor the area and consider whether any further measures are appropriate.”
The 35-year-old arrested after the crash has since been released under investigation.
The worst crash in February 2023, saw a car completely enter the house, leaving a gaping hole and destroying the family’s dining room.
Crash at Kinninvie Crossroads 2023.
Crash at Kinninvie Crossroads 2023.
Read more:
- Newton Aycliffe dad known as ‘brilliant footballer’ took his own life, inquest hears
- County Durham biker who died in race crash 'had seconds to avoid bike left on track'
- Tragedy as woman, 60, dies after fight on bus as manslaughter suspect arrested
Then-Bishop Auckland MP Dehenna Davison backed a petition calling for safety improvements, which was signed by almost 1,000 people signed the petition.
Temporary traffic lights were installed while authorities considered road closures and other measures, but were later removed.
Durham County Council installed stop signs on the northbound approach, new road markings, high-friction surfacing, extra warning signs and a vehicle-activated alert sign.