An RTA in Hampshire that spilled over onto the forecourt of a service station came within inches of causing a major explosion, though in the event nobody was hurt.
The crash saw two cars written off and another badly damaged, but left not so much as a scratch on nearby petrol pumps. The three shaken drivers escaped with nothing more serious than a lost no-claims bonus and the promise of marked-up motor insurance quotes.
It began on the Bishopstoke Road in Eastleigh, when a BMW collided with a Vauxhall Cavalier. Witnesses say the Vauxhall was pulling out to avoid a parked car.
The force of the impact was enough to upend both vehicles and it sent the BMW bowling across the road and onto the nearby Esso station forecourt. There it rammed into the third car, a Vauxhall Astra which was filling up with petrol.
Fuel was leaking out of both overturned cars as well as being pumped into the Astra and a horrific explosion seemed practically guaranteed. But in the event, nothing happened.
Emergency services were called, and after spending 20 minutes mopping up the spilt petrol Eastleigh fire crews declared the station safe.
"Sounds like an extremely lucky escape for the drivers involved," said Mike Page, spokesman for the young driver car insurance specialists at Hoot.
"Reports didn't specify an age for the three drivers, but if there was any young driver car insurance involved you can bet it'll be mighty expensive young driver car insurance from now on," he added.