TV's Mr. Bean, Rowan Atkinson, released from hospital after crash

Rowan Atkinson on the German TV show "Wetten, dass," March 31, 2007.

/ AP

Updated at 12:02 p.m. EDT

(CBS/AP) Not even Mr. Bean could have stayed silent after a crash like this. "Mr. Bean" actor Rowan Atkinson, whose character is known for hapless driving in the television shows and films, left a hospital Friday after being treated for minor injuries following a sports car crash in southern England.

The 56-year-old comedian was driving his McLaren F1 supercar — one of the world's fastest road cars — when he crashed late Thursday, striking a tree and a lamppost before the vehicle caught fire, authorities said.

Firefighters said Atkinson hadn't been trapped inside the car. Britain's Daily Mirror tabloid reported that the actor was able to walk away from the vehicle and flag down other motorists for help.

Atkinson was seen leaving Peterborough City Hospital with four security guards Friday afternoon, but made no comment to reporters. Publicists did not disclose details of his injuries.

The accident occurred close to Haddon, a village about 85 miles north of London.

Atkinson was given a routine breathalyzer test at the scene and will face no criminal charges, police said.

His McLaren F1 car has a top speed of 230 mph, though police did not suggest Atkinson had been speeding. The exclusive cars can cost around $1 million.

The actor, a car enthusiast, appears in a series of motoring mishaps in his "Mr. Bean" series. He is shown in one program driving a Mini while seated on the vehicle's roof. Atkinson is also known for the historical comedy series "Blackadder" and as the verbally challenged priest in "Four Weddings and a Funeral."

[MagnaCartaUK]

Sounds more like Baldrick was driving it.

[rwsmith29456]

That's just payback for knocking over that little 3-wheeled car on the 'Bean' show so many times.

[bobnjersey]

[The exclusive cars can cost around $1 million.]
----------------------------------------
so what's the insurance cost to cover a million dollar car.

[jose_z1]

we have our own "Mr. Bean" crashing our country into trees too
.
.
.

[enlightenu]

oh no, not another F1! Good news for other F1 owners however. Every one destroyed means every remaining one will increase in value.

[erasmus111]

You mean he really is stupid??

[funsize11]

Was his bear ok?

[realtimecoffee]

God I hope so.