Mini is thrown onto two wheels in crash with parked van ... before reversing and driving away

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This was the dramatic moment a Mini flipped up onto two wheels after ploughing into a parked van – before the driver backed up and drove away from the scene.

CCTV footage, which captured the collision on film, shows the small car glancing the front of the white van before it comes to a stop balanced precariously on two wheels.

The hired Mini nearly topples over during the incident, on Oldhill Street in Hackney on Friday evening, before reversing back on to all four wheels and driving off down the road.

The van, and another car behind it, were damaged.

'Gobsmacking': The Mini nearly topples over in the collision
Rose Communications

It left the van with a smashed passenger side window and a large dent above the wheel. A wing mirror was also torn off in the smash, which left shattered glass strewn over the road.

The vehicle’s owner, who wished only to be known as Jacob, said he was “gobsmacked” by the crash which looked like “something out of a James Bond movie”.

Back-up: The car reverses out of a tight spot
Rose Communications

The 43-year-old, who runs a dry cleaning business in Oldhill Street, told the Standard he only realised what had happened when he viewed CCTV from nearby telecoms company Rose Communications on Monday morning.

He said: “It happened on Friday, but I wasn’t aware of it until this morning.

The Mini drives off from the scene
Rose Communications

“Someone made me aware the van had a broken window, and I saw it had a bit of damage.

“This morning when I looked at the CCTV we were gobsmacked, when we saw what actually happened. It was unbelievable, like something out of a movie.

“I’m hoping it’s not a write-off but I’m surprised there wasn’t more damage – I was expecting a lot more after I saw that clip.

“I just couldn’t believe my eyes – it was like something out of a James Bond movie.

“It’s a good advert of Minis really – we just couldn’t believe it!

“I sent it to the insurance company and they’ve dealt with lots of accidents, but hadn’t seen anything like this before.

“It’s a rented vehicle and it’s clear which company it is – they know where the car is it any given time so it shouldn’t be difficult to identify the driver.”

The rented Mini was on loan from car hire firm Drive Now.

A spokesman said: “We're currently identifying the driver and are working with authorities. We take all cases of misuse of our vehicles and the behaviour of our members extremely seriously and will be acting accordingly.”

The Metropolitan Police is understood to be investigating.

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