Slam joy ruined by wrecked car

Mar 21 2008 by Peter Collins, South Wales Echo

DESPITE watching his beloved Wales achieve Grand Slam glory last weekend, Jamie Jones has been grumpy ever since.

Like thousands of others in Wales, Jamie, 18, was ecstatic when Wales beat France to win the Grand Slam. But a phone call from his mum telling him a wall had collapsed onto his car brought his world crashing down.

Celebrations turned to shock and disbelief as Barry sixth form student Jamie, of Mountbatten Road, Barry, rushed to where his car was parked to find the vehicle under a pile of rubble. Jamie, who plays at centre for Barry Rugby Club’s senior side, had been watching the match at a pub in the town’s High Street.

He said: “I had parked my car in nearby Queen Street because I was afraid that if I parked it in High Street it could be damaged or vandalised. I was ecstatic when Wales won the Grand Slam. But as I was celebrating in the pub, my mum phoned me to say that police were at the house to say that a wall had fallen onto my car and it had been wrecked.

“I went round to Queen Street and saw two engines on standby and the area taped off. I was as sick as a pig. I would have rather seen Wales get the wooden spoon than my car end up like that.”

Jamie’s dad bought the second-hand Citroen Saxo car less than a year ago as an 18th birthday present for his son. Since it is worth only £1,000, Jamie only insured it with third party, fire and theft cover, which means he has no claim on his policy.

Insurance assessors for the owner of the wall are to carry out an assessment next Tuesday to decide if the collapse was an “Act of God” and whether James could be due any compensation.

Jamie said: “It was a nice car which I used to get to school and rugby. I’ll miss it.”

peter.collins@mediawales.co.uk