Taxi Driver Online

Bedford Today

February 28, 2008

Tributes to mum-of-three killed in taxi car crash

Bedford Hospital worker described as a great wife, mother and daughter

Family and colleagues at Bedford Hospital have paid tribute to a mother-of-three who was killed in a car crash early on Sunday.

Emmeline Palermo, 32, of Charnwood Avenue, Bedford, was a passenger in a taxi which collided with a Vauxhall Astra on the A421 near Stewartby at 2.17am. Two other people were killed in the accident.

Mrs Palermo's mother, Linda Kavanagh, of Church Lane, Putnoe, was too upset to talk in much detail, but said: "Everyone is absolutely devastated.

"Not only was she a great wife and a terrific mother, she was the best daughter anyone could ask for."

Mrs Kavanagh has been ill with cancer for the past two years, and her daughter, who was a health care assistant at Bedford Hospital, had been caring for her.

Mrs Kavanagh added: "She was my rock."

Mrs Palermo had worked at Bedford Hospital during the 1990s and returned there in July 2004.

Staff are "deeply shocked and saddened" at her death.

Hospital chief executive Jean O'Callaghan said: "Her death is a terrible loss.

"She was much loved by patients and colleagues, and I'm sure I speak for everyone here when I say our deepest sympathies, thoughts and prayers are with Emmeline's family at this very distressing time."

The accident happened when the Volkswagan Passat taxi Mrs Palermo and three other passengers were travelling in collided with the Vauxhall Astra.

The taxi driver, 37-year-old Mohammad Nadeem Ahmed Qureshi, from Wolverton, Milton Keynes, and the driver of the Astra, 22-year-old Tariq Hafiz Akhtar, from Banbury in Oxfordshire, died at the scene.

The other taxi passengers, a 36-year-old woman from Kempston, a 21-year-old man from Rushden, and Mrs Palermo's husband Peter, 32, were all taken to Bedford Hospital with serious injuries.

The 21-year-old has now been released, but the woman from Kempston and Mr Palermo remain in a stable condition in intensive care. There are hopes Mr Palermo can be transferred to the Luton and Dunstable Hospital for further treatment.

It is believed Mrs Palermo was travelling back from a night out in Milton Keynes with fellow staff members at Bedford Hospital and associated friends.

Friend and work colleague, staff nurse Suzanne Welch, said: "Emmeline was one of life's shining stars. She always had a sparkle to her which rubbed off on those who were fortunate to be around her.

"Her family were the centre of her life, as were her friends. She made a big impact on all our lives."

The funeral for Mr Qureshi - a father-of-two who drove for Skyline taxis - was held at Wolverton Mosque on Tuesday, and his body was flown to Pakistan that evening.

Astra driver Tariq Akhtar is thought to have been driving home after meeting up with friends in Bedford he once served with in the Army.

His friend, Intab Hassan of Banbury, said: "Tariq was a really cool guy. He said he used to be in the Army and planned to train to be a police officer soon. May he and the other people who died in the accident rest in peace."

The road was closed until 9am while the emergency services dealt with the incident, and a full collision investigation is under way.

Anyone with information relating to this incident, and who has not already spoken to Bedfordshire Police, is asked to contact

officer in charge, PC Simon Hood, on 01234 842469.
______________________________