A MOTHER who hauled her four children from an upturned car after it fell 100ft into a loch said she hoped 2013 would be a "lot better" .
Jennifer MacMillan's VW Transporter skidded off the A82 alongside Loch Ness, plummeted down an embankment and into the icy waters.
It landed on its roof and the windscreen smashed, sending water flooding in.
But the 34-year-old and her children, aged from 10 to 15, escaped with only minor injuries after she managed to get them all to safety.
The mother, from Glenelg in the Western Highlands, said: "It was a horrible Hogmanay, but given the circumstances it is a happy New Year.
"Last year was a horrible year and I'm hoping this New Year will be a lot better."
The single vehicle accident happened on Tuesday morning when the car was travelling on the A82 between Drumnadrochit and Invermoriston.
The stretch of road where the accident occurred has some of the highest points above the loch with almost vertical drops in places.
Emergency services, including police and an ambulance, attended but all five occupants of the car escaped relatively unscathed despite the 100ft drop from the road to Loch Ness.
They were all taken to Raigmore Hospital in Inverness where they were treated for minor injuries.
Mrs MacMillan added: "I'm still trying to get over the accident, trying to put it behind me. I don't want to even think about it."
Friends posted best wishes to the family on Mrs MacMillan's Facebook page. One friend wrote: "Glad to hear that you're all okay."
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