A woman had a lucky escape after the car she was in rolled down a flight of steps and onto a popular Devon beach, coming to a halt perilously close to the sea.
Morning Drama at Oddicombe Beach
The unusual incident occurred just after 9am on Thursday, 8 January. According to emergency services, a red vehicle descended the steps leading from the clifftop car park down to Oddicombe Beach in Torquay, which lies below the Babbacombe area of Torbay.
A woman was inside the car as it made its unexpected journey onto the sand. Remarkably, the vehicle stopped its descent just three feet (less than one metre) from the water's edge.
Emergency Response and Outcome
Both Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service and Devon and Cornwall Police were called to the scene. A fire service spokesperson confirmed they attended with two fire appliances.
"A car with a lady inside had gone off the steps and stopped three feet away from the water," the spokesperson said. "The lady was out of the vehicle when we arrived, so we secured the vehicle. The Coastguard were also in attendance."
Police confirmed they were called to a report of a car that had rolled onto the beach at around 9am. In a positive update, they stated that no injuries were reported as a result of the alarming event.
Location and Aftermath
The vehicle came to rest at the very bottom of the steps that connect the beach to the car park above. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the potential dangers at coastal access points, even for drivers.
While the exact cause of the roll is not yet detailed by authorities, the swift response from multiple emergency services ensured the situation was quickly brought under control. The woman involved was fortunately able to exit the vehicle unharmed before the arrival of firefighters.
