UPDATEPolice now investigating taxi crash after driver allegedly fell asleep injuring 5-year-old boy
POLICE are today investigating after a taxi crashed into two parked cars – injuring a five-year-old passenger.
The part-time taxi driver was dismissed from his job after it was alleged that he had fallen asleep prior to the crash while carrying the boy from one school to another with his teaching assistant.
The incident, involving a taxi from local firm Crosby Cabz, happened at around 3pm on Ashby Road, Scunthorpe, last Thursday.
Humberside Police have now confirmed that they are investigating the incident.
Tyler Sleight, a pupil at the Willoughby Road Primary School, sustained chest injuries in the accident and had to be treated at Scunthorpe General Hospital.
Mum Kelly-Ann Storrs, of Barnetby Road, said Tyler, the eldest of her two children, was a back-seat passenger in the cab with the teaching assistant beside him.
The taxi was travelling from the Scunthorpe Church of England Primary School in Gurnell Streel back to Willoughby Road Primary School when it crashed.
Ms Storrs, 29, a part-time cleaner at Scunthorpe General Hospital, said: "I was told the taxi driver was asleep at the wheel when the crash happened. Tyler had a lucky escape – but he is too frightened to travel again in a taxi."
Travel arrangements to take Tyler between schools are now having to be changed.
North Lincolnshire Labour councillor Mashook Ali, who owns Crosby Cabz, said later: "The driver concerned had been working only part-time for a short period of time.
"I can confirm now that he will not be working with Crosby Cabz again.
"We always advise our drivers that our customers and public safety need to be considered at all times, and if they're tired or unwell not to take any risks.
"We can always manage the job without drivers taking any risks, but on this occasion we've been let down.
"I apologise for any inconvenience to those who have been affected by this accident."
A Humberside Police spokesman said: "Officers were called at 3.03pm on Thursday, March 23, following a report of a road traffic collision close to the CEDA medical practice on Ashby Road Scunthorpe.
"A taxi – a grey Ford Mondeo – collided with two parked cars. A five-year-old who was a passenger in the taxi child was taken to Scunthorpe General Hospital as a precaution with minor injuries."