Witnesses say it was incredibly fortunate no pedestrians were hurt or killed when a car hit a tree and flipped at Manly’s tourist-heavy South Steyne and Wentworth intersection this afternoon, 16 April.
While exactly what happened is still subject to police inquiry, witnesses say they saw an older man quickly exit the council carpark on Wentworth (at Rialto Lane), clip some parked construction machinery, hit a tree and land upside down on the opposite side of the road on South Steyne.
The man, understood to be in his 70s, was trapped in his vehicle and extracted by NSW Fire and Rescue. Paramedics said he suffered minor lacerations and was transported to Royal North Shore Hospital.
How did it happen?
“So, a car came screaming down the road… about 60 km/h or something… and then hit like some machinery and then came past Ben & Jerry’s and then hit a tree and then flipped,” an eye witness told Manly Observer at the scene.
Another claimed witness added via our social channels: “Had to jump out of the way in Rialto lane, he exited the peninsula carpark going at least 60km/h, then left and left again through two pedestrian crossings. So lucky no foot traffic got hit.”
“Was sitting @littlelburgersau having lunch with my sons when the car screeched passed us out of control… If the car didn’t hit the tree it would have likely killed several people on the beachside walkway,” another commented.
Police say the man was communicating with rescuers during the rescue operation. It is not known if he suffered a medical episode, causing the incident.
“About 2pm today, emergency services were called to Wentworth Street, Manly, following reports of a sedan had rolled,” police said in a statement, “Officers attached to Northern Beaches Police Area Command were told the vehicle allegedly crashed into a boom gate of a car park before it has rolled.
“The driver – a 75-year-old man – was treated by NSW Ambulance paramedics before being taken to Royal North Shore Hospital for further assessment.”
The car has since been towed and Wentworth St and South Steyne are now available for access.
Police say they are still conducting their inquiries over the incident.
