Car takes on harbour bridge, and misses

Sydney - A car approaching the Sydney Harbour Bridge crashed into traffic barriers with such force its engine fell out and its headlights were flung 50m.

New South Wales police said the 2005-model Mercedes sedan was being driven towards the southern end of the bridge on the Bradfield Highway about 3.30am yesterday when it hit a median strip separating north and southbound traffic.

It slid 24m before hitting concrete barriers, running into them with such force the engine was torn from the car and landed 3m away. The car's shell slid 9m from the point of impact and its headlights were discovered 50m away.

A spokeswoman said police were trawling through CCTV footage and hospitals in a bid to find the driver, who is believed to be hurt.

- AAP