An RTA on Maesbury road, Maesbury, near Oswestry.

A car crashed and overturned just yards from a Shropshire primary school today as children were starting to arrive for lessons. A school warning road sign was demolished.

The accident happened outside Maesbury Primary School in Maesbury, near Oswestry, at about 8.20am.

The car flipped over into a hedge.

Villagers said it was a miracle the driver and his passenger were able to get out of the wreckage suffering only cuts and bruises.

Inspector Jim Stafford, of Oswestry police, said the two occupants were treated for slight shock but did not need to be taken to hospital.

The crash led to new calls for road safety improvements in the village.

Oswestry Rural Parish Council member said it wanted a 20mph speed limit outside the school instead of the existing 30mph limit.

Mr Jones, who is also a governor at the school, said: “About three or four years ago we campaigned for a 20mph speed limit. In the end we got a 30mph limit but people in the area feel it is still too fast.

“We want to protect our children. One lady said she was walking to school with her little girl when they saw the car flip over. They got a real fright. There have been a fair few crashes and umpteen near misses.

“I am going to contact our unitary Shropshire councillors today and press again for safety improvements.”

Witness Laura Haddon said she offered first aid to the car’s occupants.

She said: “When I saw the wreckage I feared the worst. There were two lads. One of them had cuts and bruises but said he was okay.

“It is amazing nobody was killed. Something has to be done to improve safety outside the school.”