This is the dramatic moment a quick-thinking motorist slammed into reverse to escape a runaway lorry.

The container truck lost its brakes and skidded down a slippery slope, crashing into two parked sedans on the roadside in the centre of Conselheiro Lafaiete, Minas Gerais, Brazil.

The passing blue car noticed the heavy goods vehicle rolling backwards uncontrollably, prompting the driver to move back off the motorway hurriedly on November 24.

CCTV footage shows the truck hitting the corner wall of a house, sending debris falling onto the pavement as it continues to slide downhill along with the cars.

Police said the lorry driver, 42, explained he was not from the city and was delivering goods to local businesses when the incident occurred.

He said: 'The heavy rain made the road wet and the engine could not keep up with the climb. I attempted to brake, but I could not prevent the lorry from rolling backwards out of control and striking the cars that were stopped on the road.'

The driver reportedly promised to reimburse the costs of the material damage.

Despite the destruction caused to the cars and the house wall, no one was injured.