Van crashes into Maulden thatched cottage front door - BBC News
The vehicle is thought to have crossed a grass verge and gone through a hedge before hitting the cottage.
No-one is thought to have been injured in the crash

A white van has crashed through the front door of a listed 16th Century thatched cottage.

It is thought the vehicle came off at a bend on Ampthill Road, in Maulden, Bedfordshire, on Tuesday before it crossed a grass verge, went through a hedge and embedded itself in the house.

A 34-year-old man from Maulden was arrested on suspicion of being unable to drive through drink or drugs.

No-one is thought to have been hurt in the crash.

Val Fossey, who lives in the cottage, said there was "a dreadful noise - like an earthquake" when the van struck.

The van crashed through the front door and is said to have gone into the hall and kitchen

She was in the living room with her husband Steve when the van crashed into their home, which they have lived in for 14 years, at about 22:35 BST.

"This van came flying over a hedge and crashed into our hall and kitchen," she said. "If I had left the room I don't know what would have happened.

"We are not right on the bend and we are about 20 yards from the road," she said. "He must have been going fast to go over the verge.

"There are cracks going up the wall into the bedroom.

"I don't know when we will be allowed back in."

Val and Steve Fossey have lived in the 16th Century cottage for 14 years

Central Bedfordshire Council's structural engineers have said the house is structurally safe.

A spokesman said an expert had checked the building, and the area that the van damaged had been shored up.

The authority said it was waiting for the insurers to take over the case and it was not clear when the family would be able to return home.

A police cordon has been put in place around the property

The house has been assessed and deemed to be structurally sound

A 34-year-old man has been arrested over the crash

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