Octogenarian escapes injury in vehicular inferno

An 80-year-old driver was lucky to escape injury after his vehicle was totally gutted by fire near the Raten Pass on Monday afternoon.
 
It was around 4.30 pm that the driver was proceeding from Oberägeri towards the cantonal border with Schwyz that he found himself driving on a stretch of road covered in snow and, moments later, unable to drive any further.

When he tried to set off again, the heat generated by the movement of the wheels led to overheating and the car catching fire, though it is not yet sure if this is the precise cause, which is still being investigated.

Fortunately, the pensioner was able to get out without injury but damage amounting to some CHF 6,000 was caused.