Actor Rowan Atkinson, who is known worldwide for his character "Mr. Bean", nearly died in a car crash near Cambridgeshire. It has been reported that Atkinson may have lost control of his high-powered McLaren F1 super car, which spun around several times before careening off a tree, hitting a lamp post, and eventually catching fire.

Entertainment news said that the 56-year-old English comedian managed to escape the vehicular wreckage and was looked after by another motorist until emergency services arrived at the scene. Atkinson was immediately taken to a local hospital for treatment of a minor shoulder injury. "The car was a wreck, really badly damaged. Rowan must be absolutely gutted," a source said of the car aficionado who owns a rare collection of cars. "It's a miracle that he managed to walk away from the crash. He's a very lucky man."

He left Peterborough City hospital in a wheelchair by the back door after his treatment Friday, flanked by security guards who attempted to block waiting photographers. He was driven away in a private ambulance.

On screen and in real life, Atkinson has a serious car habit. As the hapless Mr. Bean, he is able to fold his long angular frame with difficulty into a Mini. He also drives altogether flashier cars as his other alter ego, the Bond-like spy Johnny English. Atkinson also races cars from his extensive collection including his 1964 Ford Falcon. He is also believed to own a 1980s Aston Martin V8 Zagato, an Audi A8 and a Honda Civic Hybrid.

The maroon McLaren F1 is one of the Atkinson's large car collections in which he bought in 1997 for a reported £650,000 as a reward for the success of his Mr. Bean film. The vehicle will probably be returned to the McLaren factory for repairs. "We are waiting to hear more details on the incident and wish him well for his recovery in the meantime," a spokesman at the McLaren plant said.