Northborough, MA – On Friday afternoon, a local resident experienced a startling mishap when his car slipped down a steep driveway, failed to stop, and drove straight into his neighbor’s swimming pool. The incident occurred just before 2 p.m. on Franklin Circle, prompting a rapid response from police and fire personnel.
When first responders arrived, they found the sedan fully submerged in the pool. The driver, identified only as Nick, had already managed to climb out of the vehicle on his own before authorities reached the scene. No injuries were reported.
What caused the crash?
According to the police report, the car’s brakes failed while the driver was navigating the steep incline of the driveway. The vehicle traveled three‑quarters of the way down before the loss of braking power forced him to make a split‑second decision: aim for the house or the pool. “I got three quarters of the way down the driveway and my brakes failed. So I ended up in the pool,” Nick told NBC10 Boston. “Made a quick decision — house, pool — I took the pool.”
Neighbor’s perspective
The homeowner, who was on vacation at the time, confirmed that Nick was delivering packages he had collected for her. She expressed relief that both she and her property were unharmed. “I’m glad he’s OK and that the car did not hit the house,” she said.
Recovery efforts
After the driver exited the vehicle, emergency crews secured the scene and later that evening employed a crane to lift the car out of the pool. The vehicle was removed without further incident, and the homeowner reported no damage to her home.
Community response
Neighbors gathered briefly to watch the recovery operation, offering words of encouragement to the driver and his neighbor. The incident serves as a reminder of the importance of vehicle maintenance, especially in areas with steep driveways common to many New England homes.
Local authorities have not indicated any further investigation beyond the standard traffic accident report. Residents are encouraged to ensure their brakes are in good working order, particularly before navigating steep inclines, to prevent similar occurrences.
Original reporting: NBC10 Boston — read the source article.
