Motorist escapes Italian Job-style plunge

Paul · 28-01-2009, 18:53

A motorist had a miraculous escape when his van was left hanging off a cliff edge after it careered off a mountain road.

In a scene straight out of The Italian Job, Daniel Lyons, 34, was left hanging in mid-air after his vehicle plunged down the rock face in Colorado and dangled on a precipice 170 ft from the ground.
Rescue crews raced to the scene of the accident at the Colorado National Monument and found him in the swaying vehicle.

They managed to manoeuvre him from the van and up the cliff face before he was airlifted to hospital where he received treatment for minor injuries.
Park superintendent Joan Anzelmo said: "It's truly a miracle. Another few inches or a foot and that car would have continued on to the base of the canyon. No one survives those types of accidents. We're glad he's alive."
There were reports in the US that Mr Lyons had driven his Dodge van into the canyon in a suicide attempt, although he claims it was an accident.
However, investigators have not found any skid marks on the road.

28-01-2009, 18:53	#1
Paul Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: North West Vehicle: 2002 Terrano 3.0 Di LWB Posts: 1,961	Motorist escapes Italian Job-style plunge A motorist had a miraculous escape when his van was left hanging off a cliff edge after it careered off a mountain road. In a scene straight out of The Italian Job, Daniel Lyons, 34, was left hanging in mid-air after his vehicle plunged down the rock face in Colorado and dangled on a precipice 170 ft from the ground. Rescue crews raced to the scene of the accident at the Colorado National Monument and found him in the swaying vehicle. They managed to manoeuvre him from the van and up the cliff face before he was airlifted to hospital where he received treatment for minor injuries. Park superintendent Joan Anzelmo said: "It's truly a miracle. Another few inches or a foot and that car would have continued on to the base of the canyon. No one survives those types of accidents. We're glad he's alive." There were reports in the US that Mr Lyons had driven his Dodge van into the canyon in a suicide attempt, although he claims it was an accident. However, investigators have not found any skid marks on the road. __________________ 2002 Terrano 3.0 Di LWB..