Taxi Driver Online

Taxi driver killed man after reversing into him in busy street, court told

https://www.cornwalllive.com/news/cornw ... er-2402959

Robert Sadler died two days later as a result of injuries sustained during the accident


The Western Hotel in St Ives (Image: Cornwall Live)

A cab driver caused the death of one of his former fares after reversing into him in a busy street, a jury has heard.

Tony Hickman-Wilde, 41, of Deveral Road in Fraddam near Hayle , went on trial at Truro Crown Court on Monday (January 7) accused of one count of causing death by careless driving.

Prosecuting the case, Adrian Chaplin, explained that Hickman-Wilde was working for Ace Cabs on July 16 2017 when he drove into 89-year-old Robert Sadler in Gabriel Street in St Ives causing injuries which would eventually cost Mr Sadler his life.

Mr Chaplin said: “It was early afternoon on July 16 when Mr Hickman-Wilde was driving his Peugeot Expert minibus.

“He was working in St Ives and drove into the town to collect his fare from the Western Hotel. He arrived and parked in the loading bay. At this point Mr Sadler left the hotel where he had been having lunch and his route from Gabriel Street towards Chapel Street took him in a line behind the taxi.

“As he did so the taxi reversed, not at high speed, there is no suggestion of speed being a factor.

“Unfortunately there was contact between the rear of the taxi and Mr Sadler which caused him to fall to the ground and in this case sustain a fractured hip.

“The taxi was stopped by a member of the public and Mr Hickman-Wilde got out of the vehicle.”

Mr Chaplin explained that Hickman-Wilde knew Mr Sadler and had picked him up before. As Mr Sadler lay on the floor he is said to have commented that what happened wasn’t Hickman-Wilde’s fault.

Mr Chaplin added: “Mr Hickman-Wilde said he pulled into the loading bay to pick up the passengers and once they were on board he made sure nobody was behind him by looking in his mirrors and beginning to reverse.

“He said he got out of his taxi and saw Mr Sadler on the floor. Mr Hickman-Wilde thought he must have fallen down and had no idea he made contact with him.”

Mr Sadler was taken to Royal Cornwall Hospital where he was operated on but sadly he died two days later.

Mr Chaplin said: “Mr Sadler had a background of pre-existing conditions but without the injury and resulting operation he would not have died. Mr Hickman-Wilde’s driving caused his death.

“It’s not a good idea to reverse in a busy street without checking all around or seeking assistance.”

Mr Chaplin said it is the prosecution’s case that Hickman-Wilde performed the manoeuvre without completely ensuring the coast was clear to do so and that his view was limited by the vehicle’s design and passengers on board.

The prosecution claims that there were alternatives available that meant Mr Hickman-Wilde could have left the scene without having to reverse.

Hickman-Wilde denies the charge against him. The trial, which is expected to finish later this week, continues.

What a nightmare situation?

Very difficult decision for the jury.

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IDFIMH

“As he did so the taxi reversed, not at high speed, there is no suggestion of speed being a factor.

“Unfortunately there was contact between the rear of the taxi and Mr Sadler which caused him to fall to the ground and in this case sustain a fractured hip.

that has happened numerous times round here mainly because pedestrians walk across the back of already reversing vehicles but if someone dies prosecution is automatic these days as there is no such thing as an "accident"

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lack of modern legislation is the iceberg sinking the titanic of the transport sector

Yes, and that's why I wonder why people are dismissing the safety aspect as regards members of the public parking on taxi ranks* - all the fannying about that that entails (reverse parking into tight spaces, most obviously) just increases the danger of this kind of collision happening.

But like the level crossing thing these are freak accidents, which is why I try not to be too hard on people who come unstuck in such circumstances - who hasn't made such minor errors or taken small risks, which 99.999% of the time are of no consequence, but once in a blue moon can end up in utter disaster?

*Could write a short book about this kind of thing on our own ranks, which is why I couldn't be bothered replying in the relevant thread

Another hazard arising from private cars parked on taxi ranks, ironically illustrated by the *traffic* police car in Derby:


Image: Derby Telegraph

So leaves car unattended with headlights on, shining directly into the taxi driver's mirror, comprising visibility when moving off

And although wouldn't be a particular problem with a straight line of vehicles, because the police car is offset slightly the headlights are shining straight into the taxi's wing mirrors.

But that's what happens sometimes with the public parking on ranks, with them and taxi drivers trying to squeeze into tiny spaces as a result, with vehicles ending up a bit higgledy-piggledy.

Mind you, worst offenders for leaving headlights blazing are usually other taxi drivers

Two articles here, first is basically the taxi driver's statement in evidence.

Second is simply the court saying he has no case to answer.

I've just included the relevant bits from each article, because there's a lot of overlap between the two.

Unfortunately there's no detail at all about why the judge directed the jury that there was no case to answer, but from the evidence reported it's the right decision in my opinion, and not entirely unexpected either


Cab driver describes devastation at causing death of 'charming' man

https://www.cornwalllive.com/news/cornw ... ng-2407199

Tony Hickman-Wilde said that he was unaware Robert Sadler was walking behind his vehicle when he pulled out

On Tuesday (8 January), the court was read a prepared statement which was submitted by Hickman-Wilde as part of the interview process.

He describes being “very fond” of Mr Sadler and “extremely upset by his passing”.

In the statement Hickman-Wilde explained how he moved to Cornwall seven years ago and loves his job.

He said in the statement: “I qualified to drive a Hackney carriage two years ago and all my work is pre-booked.

“John Turner (Ace Cars owner) and his wife and very supportive of our work, ensuring we have breaks and refreshments available when it’s hot.

“I take real pride in my job and like to think I go the extra mile. I knew Mr Sadler fairly well and regularly picked him up from his home address. I found him a charming and intelligent man.”

Hickman-Wilde also recalled one occasion when Mr Sadler lost his wallet so he dropped him home and drove to Penzance to retrieve it from a Warren’s Bakery.

Moving onto the day of the tragedy, Hickman-Wilde described how he drove to the Western Hotel to pick up a group to drive them to Halsetown.

He said: “I pulled into the lay-by and completed my job sheet and continued to wait. The group came up to the car and entered via the slide door.

“I carried out a check to see that the passengers were all sitting correctly and they had no opened containers of alcohol.

“The view from the rear of the cab is limited due to the headrests so I always turn around in my seat to see if it’s clear to drive.

“I put the meter on, turned in my seat and then checked all the mirrors in a sweeping motion before driving off. When satisfied there were no pedestrians I reversed slowly and carefully back.”

Hickman-Wilde said that he intended to reverse into Chapel Street and had moved backwards a short distance when he heard a horn beeping gently.

He added: “I looked around and could see nothing resembling a hazard. There was no reaction from the passengers so I reversed back some more.

“I then felt a bang on the side of the vehicle and when I stopped there was a guy next to the door. I felt or heard no impact to suggest a collision.

“I started to walk to the back of the vehicle where people were gathered and recognised Mr Sadler right away. I didn’t realise I hit him. I said 'oh my God what happened?' and Mr Sadler said he walked out behind the vehicle and said sorry.

“What happened next was a blur and I remember being at the foot of the stretcher and Mr Sadler saying something like it wasn’t my fault, that I was reversing and he walked out behind the car.”

Hickman-Wilde said that police officers told him there was unlikely to be any action against him, but when he received the call notifying him of Mr Sadler’s death he was “in total shock and extremely upset by the news”.

He said: “I asked the police to let Mr Sadler’s family know I was absolutely devastated by what had happened and for them to pass on my condolences.

“I was devastated to be involved in the collision and was very fond of Mr Sadler.”


Verdict in case of cabbie Tony Hickman-Wilde who inadvertently caused death of 'charming' passenger

https://www.cornwalllive.com/news/cornw ... an-2415689

Tony Hickman-Wilde says that he was "devastated" when he heard that Robert Sadler had died and that he was very fond of him

A taxi driver who accidentally caused the death of one of his customers has been cleared of any wrongdoing.

Eventually, after hearing arguments from both sides, Judge Robert Linford directed that the jury find Hickman-Wilde not guilty as there was no case to answer.

Hickman-Wilde left court a free man.

It could have happened to any one of us and I’m sure it has, albeit we have seen the pedestrian or they have seen us in time. We have a “feeder” car park ( it’s actually a 30 min short stay ) which we use to access the station rank. We obviously have to reverse in so that we can see the rank moving up. It’s surrounded on three sides by pavement but,no,the pedestrians have to walk across the car park! I’ve had a few near misses my self and it’s even worse when it’s dark as the lighting is very poor.

Case law would have narrowed down what a reasonable driver would and should have done.

Clearly the judge decided that prosecution haven't proved the driver has a case to answer based on the case law, usually written down in Stones.

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IDFIMH