Dramatic new footage has emerged showing the terrifying moment a driver lost control of his Mercedes, sending it hurtling over a bus and two cars before crashing in a northwestern Romanian city.
The Shocking Incident Caught on Camera
In the CCTV clip, the silver Mercedes is seen travelling at high speed down a road in Oradea before it strikes the kerb of a roundabout on Wednesday. The impact launched the vehicle into the air, where it spun narrowly past the camera. The car was then seen vaulting over a bus and two other cars, flying for several seconds before eventually slamming into a metal pole near a petrol station.
Local police confirmed the 49-year-old driver suffered a severe diabetic episode, specifically hypoglycaemia, which caused him to lose consciousness at the wheel. This led to him entering the roundabout the wrong way and hitting the central island at speed.
A Narrow Escape From Disaster
Residents in nearby flats reported hearing a tremendous crashing noise and came out to see the driver being pulled from the wreckage. Remarkably, the car avoided hitting a large petrol pump at the station, an impact that officers said could have caused a major explosion.
The driver was rushed to hospital with multiple fractures but, in what authorities described as a miracle, he sustained no life-threatening injuries. Doctors confirmed the cause of the crash was the medical episode, where his blood sugar reached dangerously low levels.
Legal Repercussions and Driving Regulations
Following the incident, police suspended the man's driving licence for 90 days and issued a fine of 1,600 Romanian lei (approximately £270). In Romania, as in the UK and other EU nations, drivers with diabetes must prove they understand the risks of hypoglycaemia. Those who experience repeated episodes can be declared unfit to hold a licence.
This shocking event serves as a stark reminder of the potential dangers of driving with medical conditions. It highlights the importance of strict self-management for drivers with diabetes and the robust regulations in place across Europe designed to keep all road users safe.
