Trail of damage as elderly woman loses control of car in Bath
An elderly woman lost control of her car and ploughed down a busy Bath city centre pavement yesterday afternoon.
Police and ambulance crews were called to New Bond Street at 4.35pm after reports that a driver had come off the road, scraped down the side of some shops before crashing into a taxi at the traffic lights.
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Avon and Somerset Police
Miraculously, despite the streets being packed with shoppers and people making their way home from work, nobody was injured.
It is understood that the woman, who is 76 years old, had been trying to manoeuvre out of a parking space when she lost control.
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The car crossed over the road, mounted the pavement outside Crabtree and Evelyn, knocked down another shop’s A-board, flattened a road sign and then carried on along the pavement towards the traffic lights opposite Waitrose.
It only came to a stop when it collided with a taxi.
A spokesman for Great Western Ambulance Service said paramedics had attended the scene and spoken to the driver, who was shaken but uninjured. She did not require medical treatment and was not taken to hospital.
It is not thought that police will be taking any action against her.
Comments
by Mush66
Tuesday, November 13 2012, 10:24PM
“"Grow up for Christ's sake. My wife's father is 75 and his father is still alive"
That's great news Malcolm, but perhaps the exception to the 'norm'...”
by mcupis
Tuesday, November 13 2012, 8:25AM
“Grow up for Christ's sake. My wife's father is 75 and his father is still alive.”
by LordClaverton
Tuesday, November 13 2012, 7:52AM
“I understand it was her parents car.”
by Mush66
Monday, November 12 2012, 1:58PM
“"This is somebody's mother/grandmother/sister/daughter"
It might be a little optimistic to ask people to consider her parents in all of this?
Malcolms' unwaivering support of motorists in strife is always a chuckle....”
by IanSW
Monday, November 12 2012, 1:16PM
“Although the police say they will not be taking further action I believe they usually contact DVLA who then request a doctors report and also a practical driving assessment with a driving examiner arranged by the Department of Work and Pensions. Subject to a satisfactory outcome the driver retains their licence.This happened to my elderly father after an accident”
by mcupis
Monday, November 12 2012, 1:14PM
“I can't believe the lack of intelligence of the pitch fork mob on here. If you have evidence that this elderly woman has broken a criminal law I suggest you do your civic duty and report it to the Police so that they can act on it. If you don't have any evidence I suggest you wind your necks in. This is somebody's mother/grandmother/sister/daughter. She has had a mishap. We don't know what caused this. Unfortunately it occurred while she was driving a car. Fortunately nobody was injured. The Police have the facts and the Police are dealing with it accordingly. The fact that you want to string up anybody who is guilty of driving a motor vehicle simply because you don't like it speaks volumes about you and nothing at all about her.”
by MikeHut
Monday, November 12 2012, 11:52AM
“Why no prosecution? If it was a 18 year old they would be!”
by bath1946
Monday, November 12 2012, 10:07AM
“Can i add my support to those calling for a mandatory annual driving test for all drivers over the age of 70.”
by jezer
Sunday, November 11 2012, 5:36PM
“TheOtherJudge, yes that's right, anyone who has an accident through bad driving should be taken off the road until they pass an extended test. I would think that higher insurance premiums would follow.”
by Mr_Nemo
Saturday, November 10 2012, 8:46PM
“It's a good job that the taxi stopped here before she went thru' the bus gate and got another penalty notice!
But seriously......I wonder if/when the real facts behind this incident will actually come to light, or will it just quietly 'fade away' once it is no longer 'news' ? It must have been a shock for taximan and I can understand his reaction at the apparent police lack of interest.”