BELFAST — A stroke of luck resulted in zero injuries after an elderly driver mowed down part of the outdoor seating area at Front Street Pub with his pickup truck around 2 p.m., July 31.

Belfast resident Linwood Boguen, 89, was pulling into a parking space in front of the restaurant when his foot slipped off the brake and onto the gas, according to Belfast Police Sergeant John Gibbs.

“He said his foot slipped off the brake and onto the gas. Simple as that,” Gibbs said. 

Gibbs, who is part owner of the restaurant, said that while there was no one on the deck today, had the incident occurred yesterday the story would be a very different one. 

Boguen was helped from the vehicle to a waiting ambulance for medical evaluation. While the high-top tables against the wall of the building remained untouched, the fence, which was lined with a bench on the inner side, was demolished.

Business went on as usual as a cluster of Belfast Police officers discussed the scene with other first responders on the scene.

Gibbs said that Boguen is a longtime customer who comes in to play pool. He said he has never seen Boguen consume alcohol while at the pub. 

Erica Thoms can be reached at news@penbaypilot.com