Dozy driver Babak Kamali came out of hospital after writing off his car - only to smash his new vehicle into his home.

The 48-year-old mistook the accelerator for the brake on his automatic and ended up head first in the basement below his own flat.

Onlookers rushed to help Mr Kamali, who was fortunate to escape with just a few cuts and bruises.

He had only had his new L-reg Lexus Soarer for three weeks after he was left in hospital for 12 days from a previous crash.

Mr Kamali, who is unemployed, wrote off his last car on the A259 during a rainy night in July.

On that occasion he suffered broken ribs and fingers in the accident.

Yesterday bystanders could not believe their eyes when they saw his attempt to park outside his home.

Instead of rolling his car forward a few inches he stamped on the accelerator and sent the Lexus careering forward.

As he gripped the steering wheel in terror the car smashed through the front wall outside his flat sending bricks flying.

And before he could react it had plunged 10ft off the edge of a yard and ploughed into the basement below his flat.

The collision took place yesterday at 3.30pm in Holland Road, Hove, not far from Hove police station.

After finishing a lengthy conversation with his insurance company, Mr Kamali explained to The Argus what had happened.

He said: "The car was parked too far out. I just wanted to push it slightly in. I don't know - I must have frozen and pushed the accelerator. Before I knew it, I was down there.

"I just can't believe it. I've only just got the car. I've had it three weeks."

The Lexus was badly damaged by the crash and was damaged further when it was mechanically lifted out of the basement.

He said: "I am jinxed. The other accident was on the way to Eastbourne on the seafront. It was raining, it was very dark and the car just skidded off the road."

Tom Martin, the bar manager at the Brunswick pub opposite Mr Kamali's home, was first on the scene yesterday.

The 24-year-old said: "The guy came out of his house and got into his car. He went straight through the wall.

"I ran over and got down there and said: 'Are you all right?' We eventually got the passenger door open.

"He got his foot stuck on his way out and ended up hanging upside down. I helped him out. He was obviously extremely shocked.

"He kept saying: 'What have I done? What have I done?' Then he went into the house."

People who passed the wrecked car were taking pictures of it on their mobile phones.

Sergeant Paul Wood, of Sussex Police, said Mr Kamali was very upset but fortunately not seriously harmed.

He said: "It is very lucky that nobody else was injured and he hasn't received a serious injury. It is fortunate as well there is minimal damage to the building. It is an unusual site."

The basement flat was recently repossessed and there was no one there at the time.

PC Kevin Leete said that getting confused between the brake and the accelerator is a common type of accident with automatic vehicles.

He told Mr Kamali: "It could have been a lot worse so you are quite fortunate."