|
Taxi driver trapped under cab feared he would die
A TAXI driver said he was convinced he was going to die after he became trapped underneath his vehicle, leaving him hardly able to breathe. Neighbours rushed to Jim Taylor's rescue after his taxi fell on him as he attempted to carry out repairs.
The yellow cab was being held up by jacks, but they slipped when Mr Taylor whacked its starter motor with a hammer. The vehicle fell down on to Mr Taylor's chest, leaving him trapped underneath the passenger side.
The incident happened outside his home in Hamblin Crescent, Sinfin, shortly after 8pm on Wednesday. Mr Taylor said: "I only thought that I'd be under the taxi fixing it for a few seconds, "I didn't imagine it could fall on top of me.
"After it had fallen on top of me I couldn't breathe. I thought I'd had it. "The firefighters told me the taxi weighs two-and-a-half tonnes and that, had it not been for my large frame, I would be dead." Mr Taylor said he was under the taxi "gasping" for air for five minutes.
Neighbours managed to lift the cab off him using a piece of wood so he could wriggle out. The 47-year-old was taken to hospital. He escaped with "heavy bruising".
Mr Taylor said: "I feel lucky to be alive. I don't want to think about it really. "Nearly all the neighbours came out – they helped to save my life. "I just want to thank them and the firefighters and the paramedics.
One neighbour said: "All the men in the street rushed to lift the taxi and you could see Jim had a big red mark across his chest after he got free and the paramedics were treating him." The neighbours were later praised by the fire service.
_________________
IDFIMH
|
Login
Register
FAQ
