Car crash ‘has given me a positive outlook’

A hANWeLL musician with a history of depression has spoken of how being cut out a car following a crash has given him a ‘positive outlook on life’.

Patrick Alice Draven was a passenger when the car he was travelling in was involved in a collision on November 6, on the A40 junction with Hicks Avenue, in Greenford.

The 28-year-old, a producer and solo artist under the name Alice Draven, suffered cuts to the head and arm.

Recalling the terrifying moment the car crashed, he told the Gazette: “I was heading home with some food. It was just a normal day, it must have gone 8pm.”

He said he did not remember anything unusual happening.

“Before I knew it I heard a loud thud, then we were spinning, and then there was glass everywhere,” he said.

“It was almost like someone pressed pause and fast forward.”

Emergency services rushed to the scene and proceeded to cut him out of the vehicle, removing the car’s roof in the process after realising he was trapped.

The pianist, who suffered concussion during the crash, said: “My leg was trapped against the car door.

“I will be able to play the guitar but it will take a little bit of time.

“I didn’t realise how trapped I was.

“It was a really cold night. I remember they were saying ‘the door’s not going to open’.

“They tried opening and I got feeling back in my leg. So they said ‘we’re going to cut you out the car’.”

The married WWE fan said the collision has given him a new perspective on life, having suffered from depression and having problems with self-harming.

“You don’t think it is going to happen to you.

“As soon as they cut the car I thought this is going to be really scary,” said Mr Draven, who has lived in Hanwell his entire life

“The first thing I wanted to do was let my missus know I’m okay.

“I’m very, very lucky. It is only now I see the state of the car I thought ‘wow I was in that’.

“It was a shock to the system.

“I’ve suffered depression and things like self-harm, so now I see that it was a huge wake up, how fortunate I am to still be talking.

“It has given me a more positive outlook on life.”

Following the accident, Ealing Metropolitan police released an image of the crumpled car on Twitter.

Officers arrested John Barber, of William Close, Southall, before charging him with drink driving in connection with the incident. The 50-year-old appeared at Uxbridge Magistrates Court on November 22.

He was disqualified from driving for 17 months when he admitted driving after consuming so much alcohol it exceeded the limit.

He was also requested by court to carry out a drink driving course and pay £525 in fees following the incident, which took place on November 6.

The court heard Barber had 78 micrograms of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath, which is more than double the limit of 35 micrograms.