Pictures show roadside destruction after BMW crashes in Staveley

The car was badly damaged after the driver claimed he hit a manhole cover and lost control – although police said witnesses reported the vehicle had been speeding.

Officers also urged speeding driver to ‘grow up’.

Derbyshire Roads Policing Unit tweeted: “Witnesses say he was flooring it.

"He was lucky - him and his passenger escape with no injuries. People die in collisions with less damage. Grow up, slow down.”

Passer-by Carl Troke told the Derbyshire Times he believed the vehicle was racing another car on the A619 through Staveley.

He said: “The car was racing another car. They had to be moving at at least 80 mph.

"They hit the railing and spun down them before finally spinning into the middle of the road.”

Carl said eight police cars were at the scene and police photos showed the damage to the vehicle and the railings.