DATE: Sunday, April 13, 1997                TAG: 9704130110

SECTION: LOCAL                   PAGE: B4   EDITION: FINAL 

                                            LENGTH:   22 lines

NORFOLK WOMAN ESCAPES WITHOUT INJURY FROM FREAK CAR ACCIDENT

IAN MARTIN/The Virginian-Pilot

Elby Burns, 78, was backing out of her Cherry Street driveway in

Norfolk when she lost control of her Ford Escort, which slammed into

a neighbor's car parked across the street. Burns and her two dogs,

who were also in the car, were shaken but unhurt. Doris McLaughlin,

whose car was struck, witnessed the incident. ``It was just a real

freak accident,'' she said. The Norfolk Fire & Paramedical Services

used a new low-pressure air bag to stabilize the cars so they could

rescue Burns and her dogs, said David Dubinsky, an acting

lieutenant. It was the first time the department had used the newly

acquired bags, he said. KEYWORDS: ACCIDENT TRAFFIC

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