A runaway taxi smashed through a roadside barrier at a train station in China, sending a family of four flying and injuring a man in his 30s.

The incident happened at the first-floor drop-off of the North Square of Chongqing North Railway Station on July 10. The taxi driver, identified as Wang Mou, was taken a backpacker to the railway station when he lost control of the vehicle.

The taxi mounted the curb and hit several concrete barriers, which shattered like porcelain. The taxi then smashed onto the pavement, sending the family of four flying.

They were unnamed but were reportedly a man and a woman as well as a child and a grandmother. They were hospitalized although their condition was reportedly not serious.

A man in his 30s who was walking with his family was hit more seriously. He collapsed on the ground, bleeding from the head, and was taken away by ambulance. At that time, the family had just climbed out of another taxi. After the man was hit, the child kept crying and calling for dad.

Wang Mou then climbed out of the taxi followed by the passenger who collected his luggage and put on his rucksack ready to leave.

The cause of the accident is under investigation. However, it is believed that the taxi driver may have lost control of the vehicle when the brakes failed.

Officials said the crash was a reminder of the dangers of driving, and the importance of being aware of your surroundings.