London taxi driver in his 80s is killed in horror smash with minibus

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London taxi driver in his 80s is killed in horror smash with minibus

  •  The collision happened on the A5 at Hyde Estate Road in Colindale on Saturday
  •  Pictures emerging from the scene showed extensive damage to front of taxi
  •  Met Police said there were no arrests and victim’s next of kin had been informed

By Shari Miller For Mailonline

Published: | Updated:

This was the scene of a horror crash in north London last night, which killed an elderly taxi driver in his 80s.

The collision, which took place on the A5 at Hyde Estate Road in Colindale around 9pm on Saturday, involved the London black taxi and a large white minibus. 

Pictures emerging from the scene showed the twisted remains of the black taxi, which suffered extensive damage to the front of the vehicle.

A horror crash killed the 80-year-old driver of a London black taxi after his vehicle collided with a white minbus on the A5 at Hyde Estate Road in Colindale

The white minibus, positioned next to the taxi, also showed evidence of damage to the front.

In the aftermath of the collision, Met Police said the victim’s next of kin had been informed and a post-mortem examination would take place in due course.

No arrests had been made and enquiries are continuing. 

Metropolitan Police Barnet posted a tweet at 10.45pm on Saturday night about the incident. 

It said:  ‘We are working at the scene of a collision between two cars in Hyde Estate Rd, #Colindale NW9. 

‘A man, believed to be in his 80s, has died at the scene. No arrest. 

‘Enquiries continue to establish circumstances. Drivers pls avoid the area.’

Meanwhile, a woman who witnessed the crash said she ‘missed death by two seconds’.

Met Police said the victim's next of kin had been informed and enquiries are continuing

Met Police said the victim’s next of kin had been informed and enquiries are continuing

Speaking to MyLondon News, the woman, who wished to remain anonymous said: 

‘I was at the scene when the crash happened. I missed death by two seconds.

‘If my car and the car in front and behind me didn’t have the fast reaction that we had it would have been us.’

Barnet MPS posted a Tweet about the collision in Colindale on Saturday night

Barnet MPS posted a Tweet about the collision in Colindale on Saturday night

In an updated statement on Sunday, Met Police said: ‘Police were called to a two vehicle collision on Hyde Estate Rd, NW9 just before 9pm on Saturday, 29 February. 

‘A man, believed to be in his 80s, has died at the scene.

‘His next of kin have been informed and a post-mortem examination will take place in due course.

‘No arrest. Enquiries continue to establish the circumstances.

‘Road closures have now opened.’

What are DVLA’s rules for over-70s?

Once drivers reach 70, they must apply for a new licence every three years.

More than five million motorists aged over 70 hold a driving licence, official figures show. 

In 2018, the number of drivers aged over 70 referred by the DVLA for extra testing increased by 20 per cent, from 4,424 to 5,500. 

Motorists over 70 must complete a self-assessment every three years and declare they are in good enough shape to continue driving. 

This involves simply filling in a form and there is no requirement to take a formal test or medical examination. 

However, they must tell the DVLA if they develop a medical condition, such as Parkinson’s or epilepsy, that could affect their driving. 

The DVLA can then arrange for a doctor to examine the driver, and will in some cases ask them to take a driving or eyesight test. 

Motoring groups have resisted calls for restrictions or bans on older drivers, pointing out they have fewer accidents than young people who have recently passed their test. This is reflected in their lower insurance premiums. 

But police and safety campaigners have raised concerns that some older drivers are in no fit state to get behind the wheel. 

Key worries are failing eyesight, slower reaction times and conditions such as dementia.