Taxi Driver Online

The Mirror

February 28, 2008 Thursday

MAN RUN OVER BY REVERSING CABBIE

A TAXI driver accused of dangerous driving after reversing over a man was in court yesterday.

John Huston told Belfast Crown Court he "checked, double-checked and treble-checked" his mirrors beforehand.

The 53-year-old added he was "completely shocked" when he got out of his black Peugot and saw Fergal Heaney's legs sticking out from under it.

Huston, from Chapel Lane in Castlewellan, Co Down, denies causing grievous bodily injury by dangerous driving on January 28, 2006.

The jury have already heard trainee accountant Mr Heaney had just got out of a cab on the City Hall side of Donegall Square East in Belfast.

He was crossing the road with friends on their way to Thompsons Garage nightclub at Pattersons Place when Huston, backing the wrong way down the one-way street, reversed over him.

Mr Heaney, who was released by the emergency services, had a broken collar bone, collapsed lung along with several cuts and bruises.

Huston, who has almost 30 years' taxi experience, added as he was reversing "I was checking my mirrors and looking over my shoulder".

He said: "I heard a thump - I immediately stopped and got out of the vehicle."
_______________________