MUCH loved Forest landmark Horace the dinosaur, in the garden of the Greyhound Inn at Popes Hill, had a lucky escape on Saturday night.
But perhaps even more lucky was Joe Warren, 18, of Westbury-on-Severn, who managed to flip his car after hitting flood water on Elton Road.
It careered on through the hedge into the pub garden, missing the dinosaur and free-range hen sheds by yards!
Joe escaped with minor bruises after being helped out by regulars at the pub.
A somewhat shocked Joe said: "I'm gutted. I've only had the car a week – and its got new tyres!
"I wasn't going fast – just came over the rise and hit the water and I felt the steering go. Next thing I know I'm going through the hedge!"
Tony and Doreen Lorimer, owners of the Greyhound, said: "We're very relieved. Joe was very lucky and it could have been much worse.
"There is clearly a problem with floodwater at the junction. The skid warning signs are no help – they relate to a new road surface some years ago so are in the wrong place to help drivers like Joe."