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Goldryder View Drop Down
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Illegitimi Non Carborundum

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Direct Link To This Post Topic: Be careful...
    Posted: 25-July-2004 at 14:13

Yesterday over here on the Isle of Wight a tragic accident happened that involved a BMW saloon.

Accidents like this are increasing sadly, this being the 5th in the last 12 months, altho just the second involving a BMW.

This is our first weekend of the school holidays and a very busy for families coming here on holiday from the mainland.  One family, who hadn't been over very long have lost their little boy through a freak accident that can happen to anyone.

The family were sat on a local beach yesterday afternoon.  Some 12ft above them is a carpark.  A BMW saloon was being parked and for reasons as yet unknown, the car rolled forward and over the edge.  The toddler was fatally injured and died instantly, his Daddy was seriously hurt.

The police arrested the driver, as yet no-one knows if it was purely a dreadful accident or not.  However, regardless of that, it brings home just how easy it is to get into difficulties with your car, especially an automatic.  In the rush to get out into the sunshine or just knocking the car into gear by mistake can cause immeasurable pain and anguish.

My thoughts go to both families..that of the 2 yr old little boy and that of the driver of the car.  There by the grace of God go any of us.

The local Council are under fire also cos they refused to place proper curbing or retaining walls on the edge of the carpark.  Instead the installed 4" high curbstones citing that the view of Sandown Bay was more valuable to visitors than the safety of those on the beach below as accidents like this are rare.

Always try to remember to make sure your car is parked up and not in a position that it can roll forwards or backwards by accident. 

Both families will be going through hell right now.  A tragic accident that could have been avoided.



Edited by Goldryder
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Nigel View Drop Down
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 25-July-2004 at 16:08

Thanks for the post Ally.

Would you be kind enough to let us know the outcome ?

Just for personal interest.

Once the attention grabbing headline of toddler killed has gone, we dont often hear any more.

Best Wishes

Nigel

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Illegitimi Non Carborundum

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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 25-July-2004 at 16:11
Will do Nigel, probably find out by the end of the week via our local newspaper.
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 26-July-2004 at 18:49
Very sad, a lesson for us all to think about
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 26-July-2004 at 19:51

I learned today that the driver of the car involved was known to me and who I had not seen for several years.  I had actually thought they had left the Island.

They can't remember much about what happened, it all went so fast.  One minute the car was there and the next...

They are devastated.  The Mum of the little lad returned home and his Dad was transferred to a London hospital where his condition is stable.

Investigations are still ongoing in respect to the cause of the car moving like it did.  The driver is on bail pending those investigations being completed.

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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 26-July-2004 at 21:07
Originally posted by Nigel Nigel wrote:

...Once the attention grabbing headline of toddler killed has gone, we dont often hear any more.



The fact that it's a BMW will also remain in the memory for all the wrong reasons.....

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Illegitimi Non Carborundum

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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 26-July-2004 at 21:13
The other car mentioned in the previous accident was a Rover 75 Estate.  It was reversing out of a driveway opposite the beach when for reasons still unclear, it rolled out of control down the drive, over the road, through a beach hut and landed upside down on top of the couple on the beach below.
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 26-July-2004 at 21:15
Originally posted by Goldryder Goldryder wrote:

The other car mentioned in the previous accident was a Rover 75 Estate.  It was reversing out of a driveway opposite the beach when for reasons still unclear, it rolled out of control down the drive, over the road, through a beach hut and landed upside down on top of the couple on the beach below.


I remember that one too....

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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 27-July-2004 at 20:56
Live each day as if its your last.


Everyone with children take note, thank you Goldryder for a reminder that we are not here forever.
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 27-July-2004 at 21:05
Sorry I have kids myself, didn't want to get too morbid

Edited by Wonkydog
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 28-July-2004 at 18:39

All that has been released thusfar regarding the car is that it is undergoing a complete inspection today.  It is an 'F' reg, possibly 5 series, although the authorities are not giving out anything else at the moment they are asking people if they saw it in the hours leading up to the accident.

The driver passed breath tests etc and has been released on Police bail.

Once the car has been inspected, we will know if its a case of worn gates on the autobox that allowed the gear lever to move without unlocking it first.  A very common problem with older gearboxes.

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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 28-July-2004 at 22:52
Originally posted by Goldryder Goldryder wrote:

All that has been released thusfar regarding the car is that it is undergoing a complete inspection today.  It is an 'F' reg, possibly 5 series....



It's a 1988/9 E34 Five. Photos have been all over the papers over the weekend....

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Illegitimi Non Carborundum

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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 28-July-2004 at 22:58
Originally posted by Horsetan Horsetan wrote:

Originally posted by Goldryder Goldryder wrote:

All that has been released thusfar regarding the car is that it is undergoing a complete inspection today.  It is an 'F' reg, possibly 5 series....



It's a 1988/9 E34 Five. Photos have been all over the papers over the weekend....

 

I don't get a newspaper, I just read teletext

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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 28-July-2004 at 23:00
Oh God, late '70s computer graphics... *groan*

Brings back memories of Prestel....

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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 29-July-2004 at 01:13

Good god, I have an 88 E34 5 series auto, and I have kids too.

Guess who is going to be checking his gearbox in the morning ?

Best Wishes

Nigel

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Illegitimi Non Carborundum

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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 29-July-2004 at 18:31

Sloppy autoboxes are found on several cars, not just reserved for 5 series BMW's.  My last car was an auto Turbo Supra, 1991 reg, that box was notorious for not locking the gearlever, it was part of the cause for its final accident a few days after I sold it in February this year.  It went out of control and went into trees, the owner knocked the lever with his knee as he got out of the car and before he knew what was happening, the car careered backwards into another tree and ended up with a 14" deep dent from the rear pillar to roof center.

One thing I noticed right away with my 635, the box is as new, very tight on the gates and you have to unlock the lever or it won't budge.

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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 29-July-2004 at 22:29

Always pays to use the handbrake methinks....

Andy (Wiv a slushbox)   West Midlands

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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 01-August-2004 at 16:59

Unexpected twist to this tragedy.

 

The police have discovered no faults on the car despite its age etc.  The general condition of the car was no worse than to be expected on a car of this age/miles.  The gearbox was worn but not to a detrimental state and although the gates on the autobox didn't require unlocking before movement, this was not classed as a major cause of the accident.

However,

The driver was using a provisional licence only.  Did not display 'L' plates and the 3 passengers also did not hold current full licences.  This has nullified insurance on the vehicle.  The police have yet to confirm if legal action against the driver will occur, although in the circumstances this does seem highly likely.  The driver is 44 years old.

 

 



Edited by Goldryder
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 01-August-2004 at 17:29
Great. No full licence, no insurance. One death. And guess who pays out in the end?

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Illegitimi Non Carborundum

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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 01-August-2004 at 17:37

Where does the family of the child stand in this though?

No insurance on the car, unlicenced driver..surely a civil case?  But then what is the value of the child and that of the injuries of the Dad and the trauma of the family as a whole in this mess?

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