A teenage painter and decorator has told how she walked away from this astonishing crash without a scratch.

Apprentice Vanessa Kastner and boss Admir Kaiser, 28, - who was driving the van in Shur, Switzerland - were dragged for 50 yards by a tram before their Toyota Hiace van was crushed against an electricity pylon.

"I thought we were going to die. When we crawled out and I saw what was left of the van I couldn't believe that we'd survived," said Vanessa, 16.

She told police that the van suddenly shot forward as soon as Admir turned the ignition key.

"He steered it against the tracks to avoid a car and then a tram appeared and hit us. It seemed like it was pushing us along the rails for ever and I could see the pole getting closer and closer," added Vanessa.

Police - who are examining the wrecked van - say the driver, who also escaped unscathed, probably trod on the throttle by mistake.