Updated: Fri Jul. 04 2008 20:09:35

ctvbc.ca

It isn't often that visitors to Stanley Park are greeted by the sight of a car partially submerged in the Vancouver park's Lost Lagoon.

But that's exactly what happened on Friday after an elderly woman lost control of a car that careened across a field, over a wall and into the lagoon. On the way into the water, the Nissan Ultima struck a female pedestrian.

It turns out she was trying to parallel park and hit the gas pedal instead of the brake.

"I heard this loud bang and the car went straight for her and I thought it was a domestic squabble or sorts,'' said witness James Chou, adding that the pedestrian was struck on the legs.

The woman in her 30's was later treated for possible broken bones.

"I ran down to look at the car and it turns out to be an elderly person and three gentlemen trying to help her,'' said Chou.

Firefighters managed to help the driver out. She's 82 years old.

Acting Sgt. Corey Bech of the Vancouver Police confirmed that the woman lost control of the car she was trying to park and hit the pedestrian before plunging into the lake.

She was escorted by paramedics, and taken to hospital for observation. She doesn't appear to have any injuries. Police will be interviewing her further to find out exactly what happened. when she was trying to park her car. 

It's a mistake that has happened before with tragic results.

Last summer, a group of children were standing outside a Langley drugstore when a car jumped the curb and hit them. A six year old boy was pinned against the wall. He died in hospital.

Fortunately, on Friday there were no serious injuries. It could have been much worse. Eight million people visit Stanley Park every year. Many of them stop by Lost Lagoon. And the seawall is often teaming with cyclists, pedestrians and joggers.

with a report by CTV British Columbia's Carrie Stefanson 

Please Add Comments(6)

Darlene
How does something like this happen? I wonder if it was an elderly driver!

stevie wonders
Submerged? Check the dictionary.

Cheryl in Coquitlam
They had better take her license away now, there is no need for people who can't tell the difference between the gas pedal and the brake to be behind the wheel. There is no shortage of public transit for these people to take. We have enough bad drivers to worry about.

Henry Lorteau
I know the elderly want to stay as much independent as possible but there should be an age limit for the elderly to drive a car, as a car is a dangerous machine lucky no one was hurt, really bad.

DAWN (Vancouver)
your right Cheryl about bad drivers.....many many of them should have their license taken away...I wonder if they caught up to all that had illegal licenses a few years ago!!!

SAMANTHA
ENOUGH IS ENOUGH, DO MORE PEOPLE HAVE TO GET INJURED OR DIE BECAUSE OF ELDERLY PEOPLE WHO DO NOT HAVE THE REFLEXES THAT YOUNGER PEOPLE HAVE. OUR COMMUNITY LOST A PRECIOUS LIFE LAST YEAR TO THE EXACT SAME THING. TAKE TRANSIT, HANDYDART OR W.H.Y!!!