A Shropshire couple injured when a car ploughed into market stalls in Bridgnorth have been reunited with their daughter, who was stranded in Thailand at the time because of the Icelandic volcano travel chaos.

Lesley Ellis, her partner and two children, only arrived back from holiday in the Far East on Thursday after being stuck due to the flight ban. The family were thousands of miles away when Miss Ellis’s mother Margaret and father Derek were hit by the car.

It ploughed into market stalls under Bridgnorth’s town hall on Friday last week, injuring 14 people.

Mrs Ellis, 65, who runs a plant stall at the market underneath the town hall, said the return home of her family was the best “get well” present she could receive.

“My daughter should have been back a few days before but was caught up in all the travel problems in Thailand.

“She tried to get home but was stranded and frantic with worry, but there was nothing she could do. I am so happy to see them all back and it has been a wonderful boost and has made me feel better,” said Mrs Ellis.

Mrs Ellis was trapped under the wheels of the car but released from hospital after treatment.

The couple have been running their stall for 30 years and rarely miss a market day.

But yesterday as the first market was held under the town hall since last week’s accident, the couple were at home recovering.

“I don’t know how anyone was not killed,” said Mrs Ellis. “We are lucky to be alive and I will always be grateful for that. It was a freak accident that no-one could do anything about.”

The couple, who live in Willey, near Bridgnorth, said they had been helped by messages of support and goodwill from market colleagues and customers.

It could be several weeks before Mr and Mrs Ellis return to their pitch, but they are determined that they will be back.

“It’s a way of life for us so it will be business as usual as soon as we are well enough to return.

“Bridgnorth is a fantastic market and people come from all over the region to shop there,” she said.

“We are recovering slowly and the family are back home so things are finally looking up,” she added.

By Brett Gibbons