"It's just like everything suddenly stops" - Chester residents left homeless after tractor crash
For 11 years, Darren Kearn has lived in his flat on Vicars Cross Road.
Last week, on April 1, he was evacuated from his flat along with many others, after a tractor collided with a Mercedes, crashing into two homes and leaving them at risk of collapse.
A total of 16 residents were forced to leave their homes last Tuesday, with several people still in temporary hotel accommodation.
The driver of the Mercedes, a 52-year-old man from Boughton, was subsequently arrested on suspicion of dangerous driving and drug driving.
Darren was woken up at 6.30am by a loud bang, as the tractor crashed through the downstairs of his home.
Stepping out into the hallway, he realised something was very wrong.
Darren told Chester Nub News: "That's where I saw a great big bloody red trailer sticking out the side of the building.
"It was bizarre, very bizarre. After that, it was all a bit of a bit of a blur.
"At this point I couldn't particularly see any damage to the building, just that there was this trailer sort of halfway through one of the windows.
"I was a bit naive; I assumed it had just caused a bit of damage to the window and probably in a few hours the emergency services would secure it and I'd be back in."
But just few minutes later, Darren was confronted with the scale of the damage.
Stood on the opposite side of the road, in nothing but his pyjamas, he soon realised that half of his building was missing.
"That's how I ended up leaving my cat there. I didn't sort of think to grab my car keys or anything because I just assumed it was going to be sort of out for a bit and then back in," the 44-year-old explained.
"Because at that point I couldn't see the damage."
By this time, it was too late to go back inside to get anything - including his cat, who was stuck inside for around six hours.
He added: "Because the building was unstable, they said they weren't going to send anyone in to get her; they couldn't risk anyone's life.
"But one of the firemen basically defied orders and went in and got her.
"They initially took us to the church in Vicars Cross, just somewhere to go really.
"That's when they said, we've booked you all into hotels for now. And then obviously we'll take it from there.
"That was a week ago," he added.
Darren and many others are still in temporary hotel accommodation, whilst they wait for answers about their homes.
The uncertainty has worsened the situation for Darren, with a lack of answers and information available to plan his next move.
He said: "I've got no idea what's going on.
"Communication was great at first, but it's kind of died off a bit, which I kind of get.
"I suppose if there's nothing to say, there's no point calling to say, I've got nothing to tell you.
"I'm at the point now where I really need to get in, even just to grab my car key."
Alongside being homeless, he has also lost the use of his car.
"I spoke to BMW to try and get another key, and they won't do that unless I've got my logbook and my ID, which of course I don't have because it's in the flat.
"It's like a vicious circle. I can't get stuff done because I don't have ID and things, and yet if I had the ID, then it wouldn't be an issue in the first place.
"We're just sort of plodding on, really, but it's just sort of being stuck in limbo and not really knowing what comes next," he added.
Having lost everything, Darren has struggled to come to terms with the possibility that he may well have to start over again from scratch.
He said: "I feel like any sort of normal life I've had is just completely gone. It's bizarre. I don't even know how to describe it.
"You just kind of feel like you're floating around and you don't really know what to do with yourself.
"It's just like everything suddenly stops.
"You know, you sort of take for granted that, you know, you go home from work, you make yourself something for dinner and watch a bit of TV.
"I can't even cook myself something at the moment."
A close friend has since set up a fundraiser to help Darren try and piece his life back together.
Describing the community response as "amazing", he added: "When my friend said he was going to set up this fundraiser, I was like, times are hard, people aren't going to have money spare to worry about me.
"At least I know if I do find somewhere to live, I can go out and get the essential things that I need to start with.
"Seeing the community banding together in this way - I've never known anything quite like it, you know. I was so shocked.
"These people don't know me at all. The fact that they've given me any money is incredible, really."
Chester Nub News contacted Samantha Dixon to hear about the support she had provided residents since the crash.
The MP said: "My thoughts remain with all those affected by the collision on the A51 Vicars Cross Road, especially the residents who have lost their homes.
"I am here to assist in any way I can and would urge those affected to get in touch with me directly at [email protected] or by calling my office on 01244 343229."
You can find Darren's fundraiser here.
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