French Tourist Munching McDonald's After Crashing SUV Into Historic Sydney Fountain, Police Say

A French tourist has been charged after police say he reversed an SUV into the historic Archibald Fountain in Sydney's Hyde Park—while still eating a McDonald's meal.

According to police, the 21-year-old was found inside the vehicle around 2 a.m. Wednesday, calmly consuming his fast food order even as the car was lodged half in and half out of the fountain's stone basin.

“Strangely, he was still eating Macca's there,” Police Inspector Anderson Lessing told local radio 702 ABC Sydney. For some of the man's fellow countrymen—known for their pride in gastronomic culture—the choice of meal may have been the more shocking offense.

The driver told officers he was delivering a food order at the time of the crash. Police estimate the damage to the fountain, a heritage landmark built in 1932 to commemorate the Franco-Australian alliance of World War I, at over Aus$15,000 ($10,700). No injuries were reported.

Images released by police show the SUV's rear wheels submerged in the fountain pool, while the rest of the vehicle rested awkwardly on the stone sidewall. The driver was sitting behind the wheel, still eating, as officers arrived.

The incident has sparked a mix of amusement and disbelief online, with critics noting the irony of a Frenchman—whose nation is celebrated for its culinary traditions—choosing to eat McDonald's at a historic site. It also raises questions about distracted driving and the risks of food delivery gigs, which often push drivers to multitask under tight deadlines.

The man was released on bail and is scheduled to appear in court next month on a charge of negligent driving. Police did not disclose the specifics of his McDonald's order.