These shots, which were taken with a phone camera, so apologies for the poor quality, show why we had to replace our first Pajero. The accident happened late at night, cause by a small Hyundai running the red light at 80kph.
My wife Nicole was driving at the time and she had no passengers. As can be clearly seen, had this happened to “normal” sized car that impact would have been taken into the driver’s door. As it was, the Pajero being higher off the ground, the bulk of the impact was taken by the sill and chassis. In addition to being tipped onto it’s side, the Pajero slid for about 5 metres.
The Hyundai was quite remarkable in as much as the occupant space survived extremely well, especially considering the engine was crushed up against the firewall. Although quite shaken and bruised, both Nicole and the Hyundai driver were essentially unhurt, although Nicole was taken to hospital for observation, just to be sure.
This is what I was greeted with when I arrived at the scene
This is the area that took the impact
The Hyundai, with the engine crushed by the impact
Another view of the Hyundai, with me in the foreground
Emergency service personnel everywhere. They even brought in the portable floodlights
Taken the following morning at the salvage yard. Remember, this is a right-hand drive vehicle, so that's the driver's door
The side that was on the ground had buckling in every panel
Nothing quite lined up any more