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Dick Van Dyke unhurt after car bursts into flames

Actor's wife posted a video of the aftermath

James Legge
Tuesday 20 August 2013 09:53 EDT
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Dick Van Dyke saw the funny side of his car bursting into flames
Dick Van Dyke saw the funny side of his car bursting into flames (Getty Images)

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Mary Poppins star Dick Van Dyke escaped unhurt after his car burst into flames on a motorway.

Mr Van Dyke was pulled from the car, having not realised the Jaguar was on fire on a Los Angeles highway.

He told TMZ: "It just started making a noise, and I thought I had a flat at first, then it started to smoke, then it burned to a crisp.

He said he escaped unscathed and "there was a fireman, a nurse and a cop just happened to be passing by. Somebody's looking after me".

The 87-year-old hasn't made many public appearances recently, cancelling one earlier this year in New York due to a “yet-to-be diagnosed neurological disorder”.

At the time, he tweeted: “My head bangs every time I lay down. I've had every test come back that I'm perfectly healthy. Anybody got any ideas?”

He later revealed he had undergone tests including a CAT Scan, MRI and spinal tap but “it showed nothing” and that he has “very low blood pressure”.

A video of the aftermath was posted by his wife, Arlene Van Dyke, whom he married last year:

And the star - also known from The Dick Van Dyke Show and Chitty Chitty Bang Bang - clearly saw the funny side, tweeting: "Used Jag for sale REAL CHEAP!!", with this picture:

A picture of Dick Van Dyke's burnt-out car
A picture of Dick Van Dyke's burnt-out car (Twitter / @iammrvandy)

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