A taxi driver has been disqualified from driving for 15 months after a crash with an ambulance car responding on blue lights, which left the paramedic with serious injuries.
73-year-old Roger Coombes, of Fairlee Road, previously admitted a single charge of causing serious injury by dangerous driving when he appeared at Portsmouth Crown Court in November last year.
As reported by Island Echo, emergency service crews were called to Fairlee Road on the afternoon of 3rd September 2023 following reports of a 2-vehicle collision.
At the scene, first responders found a marked Isle of Wight Ambulance Service rapid response car – a Skoda Kodiaq – had collided head-on with a Ford Transit taxi, causing significant front-end damage to both vehicles.
The paramedic at the wheel of the car, who was responding to an emergency call on blue lights when the collision occurred, sustained serious injuries, including a fractured arm.
The driver of the Transit taxi, 73-year-old Coombes, was investigated by Hampshire & Isle of Wight Constabulary and charged with the single offence. His case was originally due to go to trial.
Coombes, previously a taxi company director, resigned from his role in November 2024.
Appearing before His Honour Judge Newton-Price KC at the Isle of Wight Crown Court last week, Coombes was handed a 15-month driving ban and an 18-month community order. He was also ordered to pay costs of £1,500.
Sentence seems a bit lame when the taxi is on the wrong side of the road.
Not surprised, taxi drivers drive like lunatics over here. It’s genuinely frightening.
Majority of vehicles cannot stay on their side of the road
it’s an island trait.
Roads need a fence or bollards n the centre of the roads
separating vehicles so they stay on their
own side of the road.
Roads do not need fences down the middle. Drivers need to be competent. If they cannot drive on the correct side of the road they have no business to be on it. The standard of Island drivers is appalling.
NUMPTIES.
73 year old taxi driver? A head on! Should be banned for life.
Well said.