HER mother's back was turned for just one minute but that is all it took for this little girl to get out of the front door and run into the path of an on-coming car.

HER mother's back was turned for just one minute but that is all it took for this little girl to get out of the front door and run into the path of an on-coming car.

Today Patricia Proenca thanked all those who helped out when her two-year-old daughter was injured in a car crash and reminded mothers everywhere that you really do need eyes in the back of your head when it comes to children.

Ms Proenca, of Cavendish Street, Ipswich, was cooking the family dinner at around 5pm on Tuesday when the accident happened.

She said: “My partner was going to go to the shop with my two children to get some Coke.

“He unlocked the door and then got distracted and my three-year-old son, Claudio, opened the door.

“Stephanie just ran out of the door and ran out into the road.”

Minutes later a friend opened the front door and called for Ms Proenca to come outside.

She said: “My partner was in the street holding Stephanie and she was crying. I did not know what had happened and just took her in my arms.

“The driver of the car was parking up at the side of the road. She was in a terrible state but it was not her fault and it was simply just an accident.

“I brought my daughter inside and asked her if she was hurt. She pointed to her right foot where there was a little bruise.

“It could have been an awful lot worse though and I am grateful it wasn't.”

Ms Proenca thanked the medical services who helped out at the scene and at Ipswich Hospital where the girl was taken for a check up.

Has something similar happened to your child? Write to Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN, or e-mail eveningstarletters@eveningstar.co.uk.