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BERLIN — Police in western Germany say a novice driver escaped unharmed but her car was crushed after she inadvertently turned into the path of a convoy of British tanks.

Lippe police spokesman Lars Risserbusch said Tuesday the 18-year-old with a learner’s permit had apparently not seen the convoy when she made a left turn in front of it.

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The lead tank was unable to stop in time and the 62-tonne main battle tank ploughed over the front of her Toyota hatchback.

“The soldier had no chance to slow down,” a spokesman said.

The tanks, from a British base in nearby Paderborn, were travelling through a military manoeuvre area that is also open to public traffic on their way to training exercises Monday morning. Police estimate 12,000 euros’ ($16,000) damage to the woman’s car.

The tank was unscathed.

“Our driving crews go through a very vigorous process before being allowed on the roads and both crews and vehicles are checked regularly,” a British military representative told the BBC. “It is something we do take very, very seriously, especially with beasts of that size travelling on public roads.”

With files from National Post staff