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Man recalls freeing Prince Phillip from crashed Range Rover, baby from 2nd car

Witnesses describe Prince Philip's car crash
Witnesses describe Prince Philip's state immediately after car crash 02:21

London -- The man who helped Queen Elizabeth II's 97-year-old husband Prince Philip out of his Range Rover following a car crash said the prince's vehicle was "careering" across the road before the accident.  Witness Roy Warne told the BBC he was driving home from work Thursday when the accident involving Philip's Land Rover and a compact car unfolded in front of him shortly before 3 p.m.

"I saw a car, a black Rover, come out from a side road and it rolled and ended up on the other side of the road," Warne said. "I saw it careering, tumbling across the road and ending up on the other side."

Warne said he helped free a baby from the second car, a Kia, before helping the prince out of his vehicle, which was lying on its side.

Warne found Philip trapped in the car, but persuaded him to move one leg at a time to get out. He then pulled him out, saying he was not sure whether it was through the windshield or the sun roof. The prince was able to immediately stand up and walk around.

"He was obviously shaken, and then he went and asked if everyone else was all right," Warne said.

The driver of the Kia, a 28-year-old woman, suffered cuts to her knee while her passenger, a 45-year-old woman, suffered a broken wrist. Both were taken to the hospital and sent home. The 9-month-old baby in the Kia was not injured.

Police said they conducted breath tests on both drivers after the accident and both tested negatively for alcohol.

Philip was recovering at the royal Sandringham estate after the creash.

An alarming photo showing Philip's toppled black Land Rover dominated the front pages Friday of Britain's tabloids. The Daily Mirror's headline read: "Philip, 97, cheats death in crash."

Buckingham Palace said Philip received a "precautionary checkup" at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in King's Lynn on Friday and was found to have "no injuries of concern."

Police are investigating what caused the crash with many people surprised to hear Philip was behind the wheel at his age.

"Prince Philip, as we know, is a very determined headstrong individual who has wanted to retain a sense of individual freedoms right up to the age of 97 and you can understand that," said Royal correspondent Roya Nikka. "This is also a man who served in the navy, who served in the Second World War, a man who has seen action, who has been active his whole life."

But over the years he's had to dial it back, giving up flying planes and playing polo. In 2017, he retired from his royal duties.

He has seemed to be in generally good health in recent months.

There is no upper age limit for driving in Britain, although drivers 70 and over are required to renew their licenses every three years and notify authorities if they have suffered from ailments like strokes, epilepsy or glaucoma.

Buckingham Palace officials said Friday that Philip has a valid driver's license and has complied with all Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency requirements.

He and Elizabeth, 92, have been on an extended Christmas vacation at Sandringham, one of her favored rural homes, located 110 miles (177 kilometers) north of London.

Prime Minister Theresa May sent Philip a message wishing him well after the accident.

Police did not provide further details about the crash.

"We are aware of the public interest in this case, however, as with any other investigation it would be inappropriate to speculate on the causes of the collision until an investigation is carried out," Norfolk Constabulary said.

By coincidence, authorities in the area had planned to consider improving safety on the road, the A149. Norfolk County Council will discuss reducing the speed limit on the road from 60 mph to 50 mph and installing safety cameras.

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