Taxi Driver Online

Police apology to widow who was charged for towed cab

Police have apologised to a widow who had to pay £100 after her dying husband’s taxi was towed away.

Anne McClure, 60, of Lady Nairne Grove, Duddingston, said picking up the bill while her husband lay in hospital, fighting for his life, was "a slap in the face".

But when Lothian and Borders police heard about what had happened they promised to refund the money.

Mrs McClure said: "I’m delighted. I don’t drive so Archie’s brother went to get the taxi so we could bring it back home. It was a slap in the face, especially as at the time Archie was still lying in hospital. My brother-in-law paid the release fee. He was shocked."

Archie McClure, 63, who ran Duddingston Cabs, collapsed after a minor collision on the Royal Mile, outside the SAS Radisson Hotel. A coach reversed into his taxi as he waited in a rank on Saturday, April 16, at 8.30am.

Mr McClure got out to remonstrate with the driver, but became short of breath and was helped into the back of his cab by police called to investigate the crash.

He was dead for four minutes before being revived by paramedics, only to die in the Edinburgh Royal Infirmary Hospital two days later. While Mrs McClure rushed to his side, police had the taxi removed and taken to George McPhie and Son, in Pardovan Lodge, Linlithgow.

The vehicle was needed as part of the investigation into the collision which police later decided was an accident.

A spokesman said: "This was a misunderstanding and we regret any upset it may have caused Mrs McClure. We will ensure she gets her money back."

_________________
IDFIMH

they are usually pretty good down here.
The problem we have though is they use this area as a training zone. So once we have got them use to our ways they then go ewlsewhere.

And then we have to start all over again.

I remember a long time ago in your manor Cgull a story about what happened when some London police helped out with one of your big conferences.

Apparently they booked a couple of saloon cabs on ranks because they weren't the sort of cabs they were used too.

They thought they were illegal mini-cabs.

_________________
IDFIMH