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Woman pinned between sliding cars

Woman was transported by ambulance to the hospital to treat severe lacerations to both of her legs
Guelph Police Stock 2016

NEWS RELEASE

GUELPH POLICE

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The Guelph Police Traffic Division is investigating a collision that resulted in a pedestrian being struck by a “runaway” motor vehicle.

On Monday, Jan. 16, 2017 at approximately 11:45 a.m. a 77-year-old Mount Forest man and his 76-year-old wife returned to their vehicle that had been parked on the steep north side of Spring Street near Delhi Street. They discovered another car resting against the rear bumper of their car.

The man entered his car and moved it forward and then his wife stepped between the cars to examine the damage. As she was between the two cars, the other car slid forward striking her and pinning her between them. 

The driver moved ahead to free her and nearby citizens came to their aid and secured the other car in place with pieces of wood in front of the wheels.

The woman was transported by ambulance to the hospital to treat severe lacerations to both of her legs and is expected to be released.

The sliding vehicle was parked on a downgrade with wheels straight and despite having the emergency brake engaged, appears to have slid on the ice covered road, striking the other vehicle and then the pedestrian.

Motorists are reminded that when parking on a downgrade, the wheels should be turned towards the curb so as to cause the motor vehicle to travel towards and come to rest against the curb should the motor vehicle be set in motion while unoccupied.

This suggested positioning of the wheels may have prevented this incident as one front wheel did travel over dry pavement as the car slid.

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