Cindy Parker's runaway Peugeot dangles over Faversham Creek

by Jan Thom

Empty shopping trolleys, beer bottles and even the odd disorientated drunk are familiar finds in Faversham Creek.

But stunned observers watched as a Peugeot 307 estate car teetered perilously over the edge.

Crowds gathered on Front Brents to watch the three-hour rescue bid, but despite the best efforts of crane driver Malcolm Tupper, the tide returned to cover the car bonnet up to the windscreen before it was finally winched to safety.

Owner Cindy Parker had parked it outside her Wilkinson Sails business off Quay Lane on Wednesday morning.

Cindy said: "Why it should have gone for a little trundle to the creek is anyone’s guess.

"I admit that when I parked, I only put the hand brake on a couple of clicks because I saw a customer struggling with a heavy load and I rushed to help, but the hand brake was definitely on, an engineer has confirmed that."

Cindy Parker at the spot where her car ended up in Faversham Creek

Cindy and her staff were aware of a "flash of blue and a strange rumbling sound" as the car headed towards the creek. She rushed to find it dangling over the lip.

Luckily, the runaway car missed landing on Cindy's boat Paddy Mac - which she sailed across the Atlantic from the USA last year.

The Savage Crane company drove from Staplehurst to the rescue, winching the car up and over the ledge without causing further damage.

Cindy said: "I'm hoping the car will be all right because I'm rather fond of it."