pole crashed through the car's glove compartment and across the seat he had in a reclining position.

Police, who declined to reveal the man's name, said the accident on South Shore Road in Devonshire could have killed the man.

"It could have been very, very serious,'' Sgt. John Dale said. "I don't think the man would be here now if he had been sitting upright.'' The accident occurred at about 9.55 p.m. just east of the entrance to Devonshire Bay. The car was moving west when the driver lost control. It crashed into a roadside wooden rail, which bored through the engine and dashboard and over the reclining passenger seat, Police said.

In the crash, the driver sustained a "superficial injury to his forehead'' while the passenger was cut on the underside of his arm. Both men were taken to King Edward VII Memorial Hospital where they were released.

No arrests were made.