20/3/2008

Local News

Car wash trail of destruction

SMASH SCENE: Onlookers survey the damage

A DRIVER who left her car to be washed while she went off shopping in Aldershot on Tuesday had a nasty shock on her return – two smashed-up cars, a collapsed advertising hoarding and a closed car wash.
According to witnesses at neighbouring Pinto Potts Solicitors, the smash was caused by a female at the Gulf Petrol Station car wash, on Aldershot High Street, attempting to reverse the driver’s grey Golf.
It shot back into the wall behind, causing bricks and rubble to tumble onto the car of Pinto Potts employee, Peter Trowell, who was parked on the other side.
It also caused an advertising tower to topple over precariously towards the pavement.
Peter Trowell, a solicitor at the firm, said he was horrified to find his car buried and completely wrecked.
Mr Trowell told the Star that when he and colleagues confronted staff at the car wash, two of them ran off. One of these was the female who had caused the accident, who appeared to have been injured in the smash.
Pinto Potts decided to call the police, who caught up with the duo.
However, when the Star contact Hampshire Constabulary, they said the matter was a civil dispute and that no further action was being taken.
Mr Trowell and the Golf owner could only exchange details, while they waited for their insurance companies to tow their cars away.
A salutary lesson about leaving your car in the hands of others, perhaps?

First printed in: Surrey Hants Star