Pupils at a Fife primary had a lucky escape when a runaway car hurtled down a hill at the height of the school run.
Children were making their way to Wormit Primary School on Thursday when the unoccupied car rolled down Flass Road, before slamming into a stone wall.
It remained precariously perched on the wall for several hours before police could have it removed.
It is understood the handbrake may have failed, causing the car to roll down the hill after its occupants had parked and got out.
Vicky Black, who lives in Mars Gardens, where the car came to rest, said: ”I couldn’t believe it. I don’t know how it managed to get up there. It’s just crazy.
”If it had happened five or 10 minutes earlier it could have been my son under that car.”
Neighbour John O’Hare added: ”All the kids were going to school at the time so it’s a wonder that no one was seriously hurt.”
Police rushed to Flass Road at 8.30am. A spokesman for Fife Constabulary later confirmed no one was in the car when it hit the wall.
”We attended a minor accident in which no one was injured and no damage was caused to the wall, although there was some damage to the car. No one will be charged in connection with this incident,” said the spokesman.
Wormit Primary’s acting head teacher Janice Paterson said: ”This morning’s incident was an unfortunate accident. We would remind parents to park safely and considerately on Flass Road when dropping off children at school.”
The incident prompted some parents to call on others to leave their cars at home.
Mr O’Hare added: ”There are that many cars in the morning. Parents just abandon them in Flass Road so other cars have to zigzag around them. It’s downright dangerous. There could be someone seriously hurt soon.”
And Ms Black, whose 11-year-old son Daniel is in primary six, added: ”The traffic is mad here. Parents in cars cause a lot of bother. It’s a tiny village so there’s absolutely no reason for any parent to drive their child to school.”
Ms Paterson said: ”Ideally we would encourage parents to leave their cars at home where possible and allow children to walk or cycle to school. We regularly remind parents about road safety and parking issues in our school newsletters.”