Story By: Koen Berghuis, Sub Editor: Joseph Golder, Agency: CEN

A bungling bus driver has crashed into the front of a block of flats after reportedly forgetting to put the handbrake on during a brief stop and stepping on the accelerator instead of the brake pedal.

The incident took place in the borough of Bambek in the northern German city of Hamburg after the unnamed bus driver became lost.

According to the Hamburg Police, the 53-year-old driver of bus line 177 took a wrong turn and headed down a street he did not recognise.

Pictures Credit: CEN

He got off the bus to gather his bearings, but was shocked to see the vehicle rolling down the street because he forgot to put the handbrake on.

Police spokeswoman Evi Theodoridou said: “When he realised that the bus was moving, he jumped inside and, according to his own statement, confused the brake pedal with the accelerator during the panic.”

The out-of-control bus then ploughed into two parked cars and rubbish bins before crashing into the front of the building.

An 85-year-old woman was inside one of the ground-floor flats when she heard the commotion.

Dorothea said: “I thought it was thunder at first. Then I looked out of the window and saw a bus right there in front of my house.”

Fortunately, there was only one passenger on the bus at the time of the accident who was unharmed.

The bus driver suffered minor injuries and was said to be in shock. He was subsequently taken to hospital as a precaution.

Meanwhile, a crane arrived to lift the damaged bus from the building front.

According to the police, the damage to the bus, parked cars and building was substantial, although they are unable to give an estimate at the moment.

The investigation is ongoing.