'It could so easily have been a different story' - Family's lives turned upside down after landslide sends trees tearing through farmhouse

Five adults and five children were rescued in the village of Llanarmon Dyffryn Ceiriog, in Wrexham on Saturday after a large landslide.

Farmer in the village Emyr Owenn told the BBC "I could have easily lost five grandchildren" after melting snow and downpours from Storm Bert saw a local river overwhelmed, leading to the incident.

Emergency services were called to the area at around 2pm. Firefighters from five crews assisted occupants from the property.

Councillor for the Ceiriog Valley Trevor Bates said it is a 'miracle' that nobody was hurt. He said that one woman saw the landslide coming and jumped over a wall to save herself.

The councillor said a two-tonne roller and farm equipment were scattered in the surrounding countryside due to the flow of the water that also ripped out trees, moving them hundreds of yards, before ramming into the farmhouse.

The family pick-up truck was also "washed away" and carried a quarter of a mile away according to the councillor, who thanked emergency services for their assistance alongside the local community who came to the family's aid as fast as possible.

"It wrecked the house and moved a two-tonne field roller, a muck spreader, it took everything in its way," Mr Bates said.

"It took the family pick-up truck, washed it down the road and dumped it in the field a quarter of a mile away. Thankfully the five kids and parents that were there were safe, and they had some visitors at the time.

"They were very lucky that they had just gone in the house. One of the mums saw the landslide coming down the valley and jumped over the wall and managed to save herself.

"It brings it home to you. It’s a farmer and his wife. His son lives next door with his wife and three children and their daughter was visiting at the time with children. Thankfully they are all okay and the three children who live there were at school yesterday.

"The farming community around were there in minutes. There was about six JCBs, diggers and earth movers there within an hour trying to put everything back and divert the water so it wasn’t coming through the house.

"I can’t speak highly enough of them. The family were put in straight away in the local hotel before the locals found accommodation for them in the village the next day."

He expressed his relief that the five children were "thankfully" not seriously injured.

But he added that "it could so easily have been a different story".

Mr Bates said that he is in the process of arranging a fundraiser to be set up for the family who have had their lives changed and homes part-destroyed.

"I’ve got councillors in Wrexham saying 'please can we help you out and give you some money to make their Christmas a bit normal?'

"Presents were wrapped under the stairs or hidden away ready, but they’re all in water now."

He added: "I am grateful to the fire service and to all those involved in this incident and afterwards.

"It's a sign of the strength of the character of the family that the animals were looked after immediately, and the children were in school on Monday."