Alexander Tikhomirov posted about the incident online, with a photograph, and a text describing the fine the police levied against him.

Four other people are travelling with him, according to Vísir, and all are “well-known” on social media. All five are expected at the police station in Akureyri today to close the case, which will involve paying a fine in accordance with the law that bans off-road driving. The car caused significant damage to a particularly sensitive area of northeast Iceland.

The volcanic clay soil made sure the vehicle became completely stuck, which meant it needed towing out, which caused even more damage. It also ensured, however, that the culprits were caught on this occasion.

The car was driven off the road to the west of Námafjall and Bjarnarflag geothermal power station, near the turn-off from Route 1 to the nature baths.

Update, 14.45: The fine was 450,000 krónur and has now been paid. The event was not an accident, as the off-road driving was filmed from more than one angle and the vehicle left the road at speed. It is not yet clear whether the State or the landowners will pay to restore the land that could be scarred for many years to come.

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