Sudden loss of control on Horseshoe Pass
Natalia Sidorska, 32, was driving alone on Horseshoe Pass in Denbighshire late in June 2025 when her car went out of control on a sharp bend. She was unfamiliar with the road and admitted she may have been driving too fast for the 40mph limit.
The car left the road and fell down a steep mountainside, dropping more than 100m, which is around 330ft.
Car rolls down steep slope and catches fire
The vehicle rolled repeatedly down the slope before coming to rest in a field. Natalia remembers the moments clearly as the car tumbled and airbags deployed during impact.
When the car stopped, she found herself trapped and injured. She struggled to understand what had happened and soon heard the sound of fire starting inside the vehicle.
The fire spread quickly, leaving her very little time to react.
Escape under extreme conditions
Natalia tried to open the doors but could not move properly due to injuries to her leg. She was still inside the burning car and had to act quickly to survive.
She managed to get herself out moments before the vehicle became fully engulfed.
Phone crash detection alert triggered rescue response
Her iPhone automatically detected the crash using built in sensors. The device sent an alert to emergency services and shared her location details.
Rescue teams were alerted quickly and were able to respond to the remote location. Mountain rescue teams later estimated the fall distance at over 100m.
Natalia later said the phone alert likely played a major role in ensuring help arrived in time.
Recovery and reflection after the crash
She spent four months in hospital recovering from her injuries. She described the aftermath as more difficult than the crash itself.
She often drove alone to clear her mind before the incident. On this trip, it was her first time driving along that road.
