Mysterious smoking Ford vanishes after autobahn search stumps crews
Emergency services responded to reports of a smoking Ford on the A5 autobahn near Weinheim on Wednesday afternoon. Fire crews from Weinheim and Hirschberg were called out but found no signs of the vehicle after a thorough search. The incident caused no delays or damage to traffic flow.
The alert came in shortly after midday on January 15, 2026. Witnesses reported seeing a Ford emitting smoke between Hirschberg junction and the Hemsbach exit. Due to the vague location, both fire departments were mobilised to cover the stretch between Weinheim interchange and the surrounding area.
Multiple fire engines and command vehicles scoured the autobahn. Crews checked the hard shoulder, lanes, and nearby rest areas. Despite the extensive search, no smoking or burning Ford was located. The operation lasted under an hour. Authorities confirmed no injuries, no traffic disruptions, and no property damage resulted from the incident.
The search concluded with no trace of the reported vehicle. Fire services cleared the scene without further action. No additional details about the Ford or its driver were ever identified.
