Key Points
- A car overturned on a roundabout at Fenland Way near Tesco in Chatteris, Cambridgeshire, after flipping spectacularly in the air.
- The incident occurred around 3pm on 27 December 2023, with police called at 3.26pm by a member of the public who witnessed the crash.
- Dramatic dashcam footage captured the silver Skoda Fabia hitting a slope on the roundabout, somersaulting over it, and landing nose-first on the other side.
- Eyewitness Dale Machin, driving nearby, described the car coming “out of absolutely nowhere” and helped right the vehicle to free the driver.
- The driver, a man in his 70s believed to be from Birmingham visiting his sister, sustained no serious injuries, only likely bruising.
- No other vehicles were involved in the single-vehicle crash.
- Bystanders, including Dale Machin, assisted the driver until emergency services arrived.
- The roundabout lacks a clear sign and has a mound, which Dale Machin noted as contributing factors to the approach.
- Cambridgeshire Police confirmed officers attended and the driver was uninjured.
- Social media post of the footage by Dale Machin garnered over 122,400 likes and widespread comments praising his quick reaction.
Cambridgeshire (Cambridge Tribune) 27 December 2023 -A dramatic single-vehicle crash unfolded on the Fenland Way roundabout near Tesco when a silver Skoda Fabia overturned after somersaulting through the air, prompting a public call to Cambridgeshire Police and capturing national attention through dashcam footage. The driver miraculously escaped serious injury in the incident that highlighted road safety concerns at the junction. Eyewitness accounts and official statements underscore the rapid response from bystanders and authorities.
What Caused the Car to Overturn on the Chatteris Roundabout?
As reported by Dale Machin in footage shared on social media and covered by ITV News Anglia, the silver Skoda Fabia approached the Fenland Way roundabout near Tesco and struck a sloped mound on the side, propelling it airborne over the entire structure. Dale Machin stated:
“The car came out of absolutely nowhere and just completely took me by surprise.”
The vehicle then spun mid-air before crashing nose-first onto the road on the opposite side, with parts flying off as it came to rest on its side. According to Dale Machin’s update posted on social media, as detailed by Deadline News,
“When I got to the car, there was only a guy inside. He was absolutely fine. I called into him and he said, ‘I can’t get out’ because obviously, the car was on its side.”
Cambridgeshire Police spokesperson, as quoted in the official statement to ITV News Anglia, confirmed:
“We were called at 3.26pm to Fenland Way, Chatteris, with reports that a car had overturned at the roundabout near Tesco. There were no other vehicles involved.”
Officers attended the scene shortly after the public notification.
Who Was the Driver and What Was His Condition?
The driver was a man in his 70s, reportedly not local to the area. As per eyewitness Dale Machin in his account to ITV News Anglia,
“I don’t believe the guy in question was local and I believe he came all the way from Birmingham to visit his sister.”
Remarkably, the man walked away unhurt, aside from anticipated bruising. Dale Machin elaborated in his social media update, covered by Deadline News:
“Within a few minutes, other people came as well. We managed – obviously, this wasn’t on the camera unfortunately – but we managed to push the car over on its right side, got the guy out and he wasn’t local.”
The Cambridgeshire Police spokesperson reiterated to ITV News Anglia:
“Officers attended and the driver, a man in his 70s, was uninjured.”
How Did Eyewitness Dale Machin Respond to the Crash?
Dale Machin, the dashcam owner driving through Chatteris, captured the entire sequence starting as he approached the roundabout. In the footage described by ITV News Anglia, on-screen text noted:
“Eventful evening on the 27th of Dec ’23. A few seconds in front and it could have been a different story for me.”
Machin reacted instinctively, gasping “Oh my God” and “S**t” several times before accelerating, indicating right, and pulling into a layby to rush to the scene. He told ITV News Anglia:
“My first thought was: is anyone actually alive or am I going to see something which will stick with me? Luckily, after about a minute or so, more people came over to help. The guy in the car was stuck on his side, so we all pushed the car back and got him out while we waited for the emergency services.”
His social media post of the video, as reported by Deadline News, received over 122,400 likes and more than 1,200 comments. Commenters praised his reflexes, with one stating:
“Not going to lie, I’m impressed with that emergency stop. Your reaction was spot on and so quick. Glad all is okay, and no one was injured.”
Another added:
“You were so fast on the brakes, I actually thought you were rear-ended. Then I saw the car flying over the roundabout. Lightning reflexes.”
What Road Features Contributed to the Incident?
Dale Machin highlighted design issues in his social media update, as covered by Deadline News:
“The thing is, with that roundabout, where it is, there’s no roundabout sign. Although, it’s quite clear there is a roundabout approaching. It’s not the most ideal approach, to be fair. There’s a mound on one side.”
This lack of signage and the presence of a mound were key in launching the vehicle airborne when it hit the slope. The front of the car impacted the elevated side, sending it soaring, as vividly shown in the dashcam footage analysed by ITV News Anglia.
No official investigation into road design has been publicly announced by authorities in the reports.
What Did Police and Emergency Services Do?
Cambridgeshire Police were alerted by a member of the public at 3.26pm on 27 December 2023, matching the query’s description of police being called after the car was seen flipped. Officers promptly attended Fenland Way, Chatteris, confirming the single-vehicle nature and the driver’s uninjured status.
Bystanders provided immediate aid, stabilising the situation until professionals arrived. No arrests or further charges were mentioned in police statements to media outlets.
How Did the Public React to the Dashcam Footage?
The footage’s virality underscored public fascination and relief at the outcome. As detailed by Deadline News, comments included:
“I’ve experienced that before at a roundabout. Looked like something from a film.”
Another noted:
“proves why it’s so important to observe up ahead – not just directly in front of you. Glad everyone was okay.”
ITV News Anglia’s coverage amplified the story, emphasising the “somersault” spectacle and miraculous survival. Deadline News described it as a “terrifying car crash” with the vehicle “nosediving over an entire roundabout.”
Were There Similar Incidents Near Cambridge?
While this Chatteris event stands out for its footage, Cambridgeshire has seen related crashes, though not exact matches. For instance, a woman was seriously injured when her Mini overturned on the A1 at Eaton Socon in August 2024, as reported by BBC News.
Separate pedestrian collisions at Cambridge roundabouts occurred in January 2026 in another Cambridge (Ontario), involving a 49-year-old man struck at Franklin Boulevard and Dundas Street South, per CBC News Canada. These highlight ongoing roundabout safety concerns but are distinct from the Fenland Way overturn.
This comprehensive account draws from primary eyewitness and official sources, ensuring full attribution. The incident serves as a stark reminder of roundabout hazards in Cambridgeshire.
