Holidaymakers speak out about shocking moment their car hit a kangaroo and burst into flames on Albany Highway

A Dawesville couple have spoken about the shocking moment their car collided with a kangaroo and went up in flames near Narrikup, praising “quick-thinking strangers” who rushed to their aid. Ken and Leonie Birch were heading home after a holiday on the south coast when their new Subaru Forester struck a big kangaroo on Albany Highway just after 10am on Tuesday. After pulling off the road, the couple were helped from their car by other motorists as smoke started to fill the cabin. They managed to get their belongings out before the vehicle went up in flames. “Out of the blue I saw the kangaroo on the left-hand side. The collision happened at 110km/h and the air bags deployed,” Mr Birch said. “We tried to open the windows but couldn’t, and one of the doors was locked. “Four or five guys with fire extinguishers tried valiantly to put the fire out under the bonnet until the fire brigade arrived.” The couple, in their late 60s, said they were “shaken up” but uninjured after the crash and would be forever grateful to the people who pulled over to help them. They were taken to Albany Health Campus for observation, where they were told ambulance officers had booked them a room at a local motel. “In the end we had no injuries and we can deal with the car and all of that,” Mr Birch said. “We were more emotional about the support and the strangers that stopped and put themselves at risk. “Our words can’t capture how overwhelmed we were. “We consider ourselves very lucky, the car did its job with its safety system and airbags. Next to where we hit the roo was a cross, which put things into perspective.” The couple stayed in Albany for two nights after the collision, then flew back to Perth, where they were greeted by relieved relatives. “We live in a great country,” Mr Birch said. “We are unbelievably grateful to everyone that helped. “Cars can be replaced.”