An apparent freak accident happened at Summer Hill, Onchan this evening, when a coach careered from its depot, crossed a busy road and crashed onto a property below.

The vehicle came to rest against the roof of the house, thus avoiding the steep drop onto the promenade.

Its back end was left suspended several feet in the air, and an operation to recover it got underway.

Only good fortune prevented anyone on the road or the house below being seriously injured.

The road between the promenade and Strathallan Road was closed to traffic, while emergency services tried to recover the coach.

(Image: A digitally enhanced night-time picture of the scene on Summer Hill this evening).