Brits left ‘shaken’ after off-road 4×4 breaks down on a ‘cliff edge’ in Turkey

British tourists have revealed how they were left ‘shocked’ after the off-road 4×4 they were in broke down on a ‘cliff edge’, causing the massive vehicle to overturn near a steep drop in Turkey.

Josef Killey, 24, and partner Joseph Morphet, 29, were driving along a dirt road with 14 other holidaymakers when the vehicle came to a stop.

A tire popped, causing the vehicle to flip to the side of a ramp, in a scene that evoked the end of the legendary 1969 heist movie, The Italian Job, where the robbers’ loot-laden van hangs over the edge of an Alpine road.

Charlie Croker, played by Michael Caine, famously says, “Wait a minute guys – I’ve got a great idea.”

Other cars were available to transport them, but feeling unsafe, the couple and their group of eight decided to set out on foot, along with another family of five, for a 45-minute walk in the 30-degree heat.

The 4×4 dangling over the edge of the ‘cliff’. Josef Killey, 24, and partner Joseph Morphet, 29, were on a dirt road with 14 other holidaymakers when the vehicle came to a stop

Josef, a financial crime analyst, said, “It was a truck full of kids, kids in our family and another family with kids and grandparents on board.

“Everyone was really shocked by it and the lack of information from the guides only made it worse.

“It could have gone horribly wrong and we’re thankful it didn’t, but the thought is scary enough for us.”

Josef said the group booked the tour on June 3 through the concierge at their hotel in Bodrum, where they were enjoying a two-week vacation.

The group was told by guides that they could get into one of the other 4x4s and continue the tour, but they declined as they felt unsafe.

With no alternative routes down the mountain, the group walked 45 minutes to the next stop point, where they arranged to get into another vehicle for a ride to the main road.

The occupants try to get the vehicle back on the road

Josef Killey and his partner Joseph Morphet in Turkey. Josef said the group booked the tour on June 3 through the concierge at their hotel in Bodrum, where they were enjoying a two-week vacation.

Josef said they still felt unsafe in the vehicle and after only a few minutes asked to be let out so they could walk the remaining way to the main road.

After determining that there were no more cliffs or dangerous roads, the group agreed to return to the vehicle and finish the tour.

“It was quite bumpy — our driver told us we could get up in our seats and look at the view, so people were standing up and holding on to the railing,” said Josef.

‘The driver pointed out an eagle flying over to our left where the cliff’s edge was – it was quite a narrow road and he was distracted and didn’t look where he was going.

“Everyone was screaming to get out of the vehicle, it was as if someone had slammed on the brakes really hard.

“We said we don’t want to get in another one of the cars and don’t want to go back the way we came.

“We walked for 45 minutes in 28 degrees to a roadside photo stop — we were all exhausted by the time we got there.

The group walks to the next stop point in the 30 degree heat and the vehicle on the ‘cliff’ side. The group was told by guides that they could get into one of the other 4x4s and continue the tour, but they declined as they felt unsafe

The vehicle before the crash. Josef, a financial crime analyst, said: ‘It was a full truckload of kids, kids in our family and another family with kids and grandparents on board’

‘The guide said we could continue down the road or wait and go back the way we came in a jeep.

“We decided to backtrack and head to the main road, but the driver was distracted, so we insisted on getting out, even if it was only a short distance to the road, and said we would walk.

“Then we asked the new driver if there were any more cliffs and he said no, so we continued the tour from there.”

A representative for the tour company said: “We were driving on a road with hard terrain when a rock hit the rim of the tire, breaking the center.

‘We arranged for a second vehicle in 20 minutes as we were away from the city centre.

“The guests insisted on not getting into the vehicle, saying they wanted the walk.

‘A jeep followed them until they reached the main road. We offered them a full refund and to return them to the hotel as well as a full check up at the hospital in case of injury.

The guests refused to go back to the hotel and chose to continue the excursion. We also refunded half of the money they paid for. They also got a free zip line, squirt guns and photos worth £100.

“There was no crash at all, it was just bad luck while off-roading. We adhere to the strictest health and safety rules and regulations, but cars can break down anytime.”