A station wagon broke through the railing of a parking garage at St. Vincent Medical Center on Wednesday, almost falling from the fourth floor, authorities said.

The Los Angeles Police Department’s Rampart Division tweeted photographs of the car, showing its front two tires over the curb, through the railing and over the side of the six-story garage.

The driver, who was not identified, reportedly pressed on the gas pedal instead of the brakes, sending the car into a cable and concrete barrier.

The Los Angeles Fire Department responded to a call about the car shortly after 9:30 a.m., but by the time firefighters arrived, the driver had escaped without injury. The car, however, was still hanging “precariously” over the edge, said LAFD spokesman Brian Humphrey.


Officials used hand tools to pull the car back into the garage.

“We’re pleased the driver and occupants were able to escape unharmed,” Humphrey said.

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