An 89-year-old man driving in Malaysia accidentally crashed his car into a roadside eatery, causing a minor commotion but no injuries. The incident occurred at around 11:20 am on 26 September at Pinji Centre Point Restaurant in Ipoh. The elderly driver, accompanied by his wife, mistakenly hit the accelerator instead of the brake while trying to park, resulting in his Perodua Myvi lurching forward into the eatery. Despite the crash, the store owner offered the couple a free meal to calm their nerves.
Background
The video of the incident, uploaded on Facebook by a passerby, showed the car stalled right where the food was displayed, with customers navigating around it to place their orders. The car’s bonnet hit a counter displaying food, and part of its back bumper fell off. Fortunately, the motorcyclist whose bike was hit managed to ride away with only minor damages to his vehicle. Although there were no casualties, the elderly couple appeared visibly shaken.
Drive-through
According to Sin Chew Daily, the elderly man was attempting to park when his foot slipped, causing the car to accelerate instead of stopping. This led to the vehicle crashing into a nearby motorbike and driving into the store. The incident caused some damage to the eatery’s counter and the car itself, but no serious injuries were reported. The quick response from the store owner helped to defuse the situation.
Comfort food
In a gesture of kindness, the store owner offered the elderly couple a meal to help calm their nerves. When the couple attempted to pay for their meal before leaving, the owner insisted that it was on the house. He even assisted them in driving their car out of the eatery. China Press reported that police arrived at the scene to investigate and left after ensuring that the situation was under control.
Related incidents
This incident is reminiscent of other similar events where elderly drivers have lost control of their vehicles. For instance, in 2024, a car crashed into an eatery in Malaysia, resulting in the tragic death of a customer’s wife. Such incidents highlight the importance of road safety and the need for measures to prevent similar occurrences in the future.
