A driver-less runaway taxi crashed into a wall at Weymouth harbour after an alleged driver error. 

The Renault van, which according to a witness was parked near the Royal Oak Pub, rolled backwards and hit the low harbour wall, narrowly missing an elderly couple. 

"It's amazing no one was hurt," the witness said. 

Ian Ferguson, Managing Director of Weyline Taxis confirmed one of their vehicles had been involved in the crash. 

He said: “There was an incident whereby the vehicle rolled back into a wall, the driver was not in the vehicle at the time." 

The collision occurred at the end of St Mary Street at approximately 10.15am this morning.

A man, who was at the Rendezvous Pub, said the vehicle he thought the vehicle was locked, as bystanders were unable to access the taxi when they tried to move it. 

Mr Ferguson said the vehicle handbrake had now been checked and found to be working correctly.

“We have to assume this is down to driver error and apologise for any distress or inconvenience caused to anyone as a result. I will be speaking at length to the driver in due course,” he said. 

Dorset Police said they had not attended the incident.