A woman had a lucky escape this morning after the car she was sitting in rolled down a flight of steps and onto a popular Devon beach, coming to a halt perilously close to the water's edge.
Morning Drama at Oddicombe
The incident occurred just after 9am on Thursday, 8 January, at Oddicombe Beach in Torquay. According to emergency services, a red vehicle descended the steps leading from the clifftop car park down to the beach in the Babbacombe area of Torbay.
Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service confirmed that a woman was inside the car as it travelled down the steps. Remarkably, the vehicle stopped on the sand approximately three feet from the sea, preventing a potentially serious situation from becoming far worse.
Emergency Response and Outcome
Multiple emergency services swiftly attended the scene. A spokesperson for Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service stated: "We were called just after 9am and attended with two fire appliances. A car with a lady inside had gone off the steps and stopped three feet away from the water."
By the time firefighters arrived, the woman was already out of the vehicle. Crews secured the car to prevent any further movement. HM Coastguard also provided assistance at the scene.
Devon and Cornwall Police, who were also called to the report, provided a crucial update. A police spokesperson said: "No injuries have been reported." This confirmation brought relief following the alarming sight of a car on the beach.
Location and Context
Oddicombe Beach is a picturesque, red-sand cove accessed by a steep cliff railway or a long set of steps from the car park above. The steps are not intended for vehicle access, making this morning's event highly unusual.
The area is a well-known spot for locals and tourists within the English Riviera region. The prompt action of the emergency services ensured the scene was made safe quickly, minimising disruption and risk to the public.
Authorities have not released details regarding how the car came to descend the steps, and the investigation into the precise cause is likely ongoing.
