This driver had an unfortunate run in with the law when he up-ended his car into the basement of a former police station.

The man, in his eighties, escaped serious injury when the vehicle plunged head first into the gated six-foot drop between the pavement and Edgware Police Station.

Emergency services were called at 6.30pm yesterday to Whitchurch Lane, where the black Hyundai Amica had become wedged in the gap.

Paramedics treated the man, who was reported to be in shock, before taking him to Northwick Park Hospital.

Officers later said they were treating the crash as an accident.

Photographer Jonathan Cocking, 66, was passing with his camera while emergency services dealt with the incident.

He said: “It was an extremely unusual sight. I’ve never seen a car in such an unusual position – it was quite extraordinary.

“It was fortunately not tragic for any person involved, though it probably was for the poor car.”