“How to drive note” found in car that sent stands flying at flower show

80-year-old accidentally drove car through exhibition stage after confusing accelerator pedal for the brakes

“How to drive note” found in car that sent stands flying at flower show
The note found inside the car as show organisers raced to check if the elderly driver was OK.

Organisers of a flower show who went to rescue an elderly woman from the driver’s seat of her car after it ploughed through an exhibition stage were shocked to find a note tucked in the central console with instructions on “how to drive”.

Show-goers at Burnham Market flower show in Norfolk last Saturday were forced to jump for their lives as the automatic blue Toyota RAV4 smashed into a stage.

Lawrence Rubin, 71, treasurer of Burnham Horticultural Society, said: “I was sitting in the marquee and suddenly I became aware that I’d been hit and things kept falling on top of me.

“I have got aches and pains and will be going for a CT scan.

“Lucky to be alive”

“I am lucky to be alive.”

The note found inside the car read: “Key in ignition. Foot on brake. Start engine. Gear lever into D. Foot off brake.”

Flower show secretary Dr Diana Black, 53, said: “It was an accident but when I saw that note I started to feel angry.

“If you need written instructions, surely you shouldn’t be driving.

“There could’ve been fatalities or serious injuries but miraculously there weren’t.”

“Unintended acceleration”

Police Inspector Lou Provart of Norfolk Police, described the incident as “an unfortunate, unintended acceleration”.

He added: “A traffic offence report will be submitted, based on the facts gathered at scene, including the note.”

No one was seriously injured and no arrests were made.

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