UPDATED: The Coastguard Rescue helicopter was requested to assist Police after a car lost control, smashed through a road sign and landed upside down at the bottom of an embankment in Ventnor during the early hours of this morning (Wednesday).
At around 00:30 Island Echo readers reported seeing what appeared to be Police pursuing a car through Wroxall towards Ventnor. Just a short time later, residents living on Gills Cliff Road in the seaside town heard what has been described as a car skidding, followed by a loud bang.
By 01:30 Hampshire Constabulary had requested the assistance of the Coastguard Helicopter to search the hard-to-access area, thought to be in relation to a possible injured party.
The helicopter – not normally used by Police for crime-related matters – hovered over the area for some time before returning to Lee-on-Solent by 03:00.
Daylight has revealed the full extent of the incident, in which it appears a silver Ford Fiesta Zetec S lost control at the junction of Whitwell Road before quite literally taking off, flipping and coming to rest on its roof around 15m down an embankment.
Amazingly, the car has narrowly avoided hitting trees, a shed and even a parked vehicle. The driver has escaped with their life.
Black skid marks and an obvious gap in the hedge are now visible at the junction of Gills Cliff Road and Whitwell Road.
Hampshire Constabulary are yet to issue a statement on the incident.
The vehicle is expected to be recovered – but when and how remains a mystery.
UPDATE @ 12:50 – Hampshire Constabulary have confirmed that the driver of the vehicle fled the scene and was not located. A passenger inside the overturned Fiesta was helped from the vehicle.
Investigations into the incident are ongoing.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Police on 101. Information can be given anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
