Ever wondered what would have happened had you arrived at a location 5 seconds earlier? I was enjoying my Sunday drive in the VRS on the A904, and had just exited the village of Newton, on the way to Newton Scenic Layby, when I notice this 3 series BMW coming the other way. There is a gentle left hand bend before the entrance to the parking bays.

Beamer appears to be heading for the entrance, but at 50MPH. Next thing it hits the divider kerb, catches air, flies 30 feet straight into the trees!

I pull into the parking bays, and run over to check everyone is OK. Only the driver in the car (a doctor) who emerged from the passenger side door, somewhat shaken. Side airbag and curtain airbag had gone off when he side swiped a tree. Thankfully he was in one piece, and although the mobile phone pic I got doesn't really show too much damage, the car is a write off (2000 X Plate).

Found some suspension parts in the divider shrubbery, suspect the front ARB parted company with the suspension, causing massive understeer. Driver says car just failed to turn in at the bend.

Just very glad I wasn't a little earlier.

Like something out of one of those "Final Destination" films...

I had one of those a good few years back whilst dealing with an RTI - a colleague of mine saw a car skidding towards me and pulled me out of its path - it stopped about 15 feet PAST where I had been standing...

ooopsie, bet he wishes he had ESP now

cars generally don't "just fail to turn in" on bends...chances are he momentarily dozed off at the wheel or just found himself in one of those "mini trances" that affect people on repetetive journeys.

I think if my car failed to turn and caused an accident I would seriously be kicking up a stink with my local mechanic!!

Glad nobody was hurt though!

Must admit I expected to find a section 5 stumbling out of the Beamer Guy was stone cold sober though, and eyes looked fine, so no other 'substances' suspected.

Forgot the funny part. There was an old dear sitting in her VW Polo parked up in the lay-by when the accident happened. I had invited the Beamer driver to sit in my car, out of the rain, while he phoned his wife, RAC and Police. About 30 minutes later, the old dears door flies open, and she runs over. "Oh my God, is everyone OK" So slightly slow reflexes to say the least

I don't think my VRS hit boost all the way home

Oh dear. My parents live there, at Woodend, at the other end of the village (the Winchburgh road). You'd be surprised how many accidents there are on the A904 between the old South Queensferry turnoff and Whitequarries. It's no surprise they're tuning the whole of West Lothian into a 40 zone.

cars generally don't "just fail to turn in" on bends...chances are he momentarily dozed off at the wheel or just found himself in one of those "mini trances" that affect people on repetetive journeys.

It's the first place you can really get a good view of the Forth bridges, and it is quite an impressive panorama so he was probably getting an eyeful when he caught the kerb.

cars generally don't "just fail to turn in" on bends...chances are he momentarily dozed off at the wheel or just found himself in one of those "mini trances" that affect people on repetetive journeys.

I think if my car failed to turn and caused an accident I would seriously be kicking up a stink with my local mechanic!!

Glad nobody was hurt though!

They do, it's called understeer

It's the first place you can really get a good view of the Forth bridges, and it is quite an impressive panorama so he was probably getting an eyeful when he caught the kerb.

He was heading West bound, so view of bridges behind him. That's what was so scary, as

he crossed the centre line into oncoming traffic (me). I know what you mean though, when east bound round that bend. You get folk staring at the bridges, and all over the road :rotz:

Just noticed, the picture might make a good "Parking Fail"

Thats nearly right behind my house, didn't hear anything but will probably see the marks next time i drive up there.

Scary!