Hit-and-run fuel thief ploughs car into garage worker
THIS is the shocking moment a petrol station worker went to confront a suspicious motorist – and was mown down.
Michelle Carr, 46, was thrown over the bonnet as she tried to stop the driver leaving without paying.
The motorist, who had reportedly filled up empty petrol drums with fuel, drove into the attendant as she approached his silver Mazda on the forecourt. Petrol station manager Debi Beardshall said Miss Carr was left bruised and in pain, but thankfully suffered no serious injuries.
Footage of the incident on Sunday afternoon shows the driver, who has not been identified, turning wildly into the petrol station in Barnsley and pulling up at a pump.
He picks up the fuel nozzle and spends several minutes apparently
filling up his car. But Miss Carr spotted drums at the back of the vehicle and saw the driver filling those up instead.
There are strict limits on how much fuel individuals can store in containers.
Apparently noticing Miss Carr leaving the shop, the driver returns to the front seat beside his male passenger and puts his foot down. She continues towards the car but the driver does not slow, ploughing straight into her. She holds up her hands and strikes the bonnet of the car before being rolled off and on to the ground.
The station manager said she believed this reflex action saved her friend from falling under the wheels. She added: ‘I was on holiday [on Sunday] but as soon as I heard what happened to Michelle, I had to come and see if she was OK.
‘If I had been there, I would have told her to have not gone out to the car, but you never expect someone to try and run you over ... He could have reversed and got away but he decided to go straight through her. Michelle is still in shock from it all.
‘I think she keeps wondering what could have happened. If she had not put her hands up, she could have been dragged underneath the car.’
The CCTV footage was posted on Facebook and had last night been viewed nearly 100,000 times. South Yorkshire Police said officers were investigating the incident.