Driver crashes hire car into historic Sydney fountain while eating McDonald's
A 21-year-old French national reversed a hire car into the Archibald Fountain in Hyde Park, Sydney, at approximately 4 am. According to NSW Police, the driver was eating McDonald's inside the vehicle at the time of the crash. He was charged with negligent driving, failing to reverse a vehicle safely, and unlicensed driving.
Incident Details
The driver claimed he was following his GPS navigation to his destination, NSW Police Inspector Anderson Lessing said. The driver was uninjured and taken to St Vincent's Hospital for mandatory testing.
Damage Assessment
The fountain sustained scratches, but no major structural damage was reported. Estimated repair costs are between $15,000 and $20,000.
Historical Context
The Archibald Fountain was completed in the 1920s by French artist Francois-Leon Sicard and unveiled in Sydney in 1932. It is named after Australian publisher J.F. Archibald, who provided the funds for its construction.
"The driver was eating McDonald's inside the vehicle at the time of the crash." — NSW Police
The incident highlights the risks of distracted driving, even while reversing at low speeds.