Madrid residents were in for an odd sight this morning as a stolen car was driven into the Plaza Elíptica and became stuck on the stairs.
According to EFE, a 36 year old stole the Mazda from a nearby parking lot after its owner left the keys in the car. A friend of the owner reportedly tried to stop the man, but was unsuccessful.
From there, the man “accessed the Plaza Elíptica interchange through the exclusive bus access from the A42 and circulated inside the station.” After reportedly breaking several glass doors, the man apparently tried to take the stairs.
Tras el aparatoso suceso @BomberosMad ha retirado el coche de las escaleras en una laboriosa maniobra. @SAMUR_PC ha trasladado al conductor al hospital 12 de octubre y @policiademadrid investiga las circunstancias de este suceso en el que, afortunadamente, no ha habido heridos. pic.twitter.com/FoxZWH9xRZ
— Emergencias Madrid (@EmergenciasMad) August 23, 2022
As you can see in the tweets, this failed spectacularly as the car became stuck on the stairs and the railing apparently prevented the doors from being opened. Police arrived a short time later and took the man into custody.
While there’s no explanation for why the man drove into the bus station, EFE says the driver tested positive for cocaine use. Thankfully, no one was injured and authorities were able to remove the car by effectively towing/winching it up the stairs.
Incidents like this are rare, but not unheard of as a few years ago a Chevrolet Trailblazer drove through a packed mall in Shaumburg, Illinois causing a brief panic.