Wagoneer

Make
Jeep
Segment
SUV

If you're a spectator at a race event such as the grueling Dakar Rally, which has a reputation for being one of the most dangerous rallies on Earth, it's normally wise to stand far away from the action. You never know what's around the corner, as these spectators found out when they got closer to the action than they anticipated. These onlookers narrowly avoiding getting hit by an out of control car which rolls over spectacularly en route to falling off a cliff. It's a scarily close call, to put it mildly.

The accident involved Carlos Sainz and Lucas Cruz. The pair were trying to make up lost time due to navigational errors. Sainz has secured 27 Dakar stage victories since 2006, but his attempt at No. 28 was cut short this year during the fourth stage not far from the finish line.

Pushing hard, Sainz lost control at a sharp turn and rolled over down the gravel track. The Peugeot then plummeted down the ravine where it barely missed the hapless spectators. This video captured from the spectator's point of view shows how this story could easily have ended very differently.

In hindsight, a high-speed corner next to a ravine probably isn't the safest vantage point. Road and Track reports that Sainz sustained minor injuries to his back, but the car was written off with critical damage to the gearbox and cooling system. Before the incident the team had started day four of the 12-day event in second place but are now forced to withdraw from the competition.