A TAXI driver who praised the emergency services for rescuing him last month is still not back behind the wheel – and fears he may never be again.
As reported, Alan Habgood, 57, of Cromwell Avenue, was freed from his crumpled taxi by emergency services after a collision in Wellington Street in the early hours of Saturday, September 17.
His VW Transporter was hit with such force by a Vauxhall van, it rolled onto its side.
The driver of the van fled the scene, leaving Mr Habgood with broken ribs and his passenger – a young woman – with a broken toe and collar bone.
Now, to add insult to injury, Mr Habgood – who shares the taxi with another driver – cannot afford to buy another suitable vehicle.
As reported, North East Lincolnshire Council will only grant new taxi licences for vehicles under five years old.
While Mr Habgood's old vehicle was more than five years old, it was already licensed and, as such, was not subject to the new ruling.
However, as it has been written off, the pair would have to apply for a new licence for any replacement vehicle – and claim that the £12,000 paid out by their insurance company will not be sufficient to buy a vehicle under the five-year age limit similar in size to the one they had been running.
Mr Habgood said: "It is unfortunate how things have turned out but I can't help thinking that I am just lucky to be alive.
"I'm a tough old cookie but my ribs are still painful and my family don't want me to go back to driving – something like that does make you think.
"We don't have enough money in the pot for a new taxi. It is hard to get finance and the council's rules are pretty stringent so I don't think I have much choice but to give it up. I just feel sorry for my colleague – neither of us can afford to retire – but, I am still here and that's the main thing."
Police have confirmed officers were investigating a disturbance on the street when a man fled in a car and hit Mr Habgood's taxi, at about at 12.20am on Saturday.
The driver of the van was arrested at the scene in connection with the incident and has been released on bail.
A spokesman for the force said: "The man who was arrested at the time of the incident remains on police bail at this time pending further inquiries."
A spokesman for North East Lincolnshire Council added: "The five-year rule relating to newly-licensed vehicles is council policy. The policy was created to help ensure that our local fleet is safe and comfortable for passengers."
source: thisisgrimsby.co.uk
