Remember the bit in Jurassic Park where Sam Neill and the kids plunge over a cliff in one of the tour cars but escape when it becomes lodged in the branches of a tree?
Well, it was a bit like that for Croatian Cedo Jerbic, who dumbfounded the press and his car insurance company by surviving a 700 foot freefall in his Skoda Octavia.
After losing control on the road which climbs the steep-sided Velebit mountain, Jerbic tipped over the edge into a gaping canyon. He ricocheted twice off the rock wall before the Skoda was snagged by the branches of trees on the valley floor far below.
Miraculously, Jerbic survived the drop practically without injury thanks to the Skoda's seatbelt and airbags. From his treetop landing-site he used his mobile phone to call emergency services, and was soon being pulled from the Skoda to safety.
Doctors at the scene noted only mild bruising to his chest.
"Talk about a lucky escape," said Hoot spokesman and young driver car insurance expert Mike Page. "Skoda bosses must be thrilled with their car's performance.
"However, I wouldn't recommend other Octavia drivers try to recreate Jerbic's adventure," he added. "Quite apart from the danger, you've got to consider the kind of young driver car insurance claims that sort of stunt might generate."