 Martin’s Cab was hit by another DaC driver who never stopped One of the first things you see when signing-on to your Dial-a-Cab data terminal at the beginning of a shift are the words The Gentleman’s Circuit - a slogan epitomising the ethos of our Society from its very earliest days. Imagine then the dismay that Martin Leat (P35) – who has been on DaC for 9 years - felt when he returned to his taxi recently, only to discover a |
DaC Driver in taxi hit and run! |
|
|
damaged front wing and bumper
but soon to find out that not only was it caused by another taxi
driver who declined to stop, but that taxi was also on
Dial-a-Cab! Martin takes up the story... "It was Tuesday 29th June at around 8pm when I parked on the back of the Sheraton Park Tower hotel rank to meet my son who works there. I left the cab for 10 minutes and when I returned, I noticed the offside front wing and bumper had been hit. I checked with the security people who confirmed that another cab had squeezed onto the rank at 8.05pm and had collided with my cab as it did so. Camera footage showed the cab impacting my vehicle with such force that my taxi was seen to lurch sideways as the third party’s cab struck it, so he could not possibly have been unaware of the collision. His for hire light can be clearly seen illuminated, so he must have intended to ‘put on’ the rank. |
"However, having
hit my cab, he was then seen to pull away rather swiftly and
disappear down Harriet Walk. Sadly, the security camera footage
also showed the errant cab to be a Dial- a-Cab
subscriber, so I’m less than impressed to think that one of our
own would not have the common decency to stop and admit to the
damage (see cover pic). I have reported the matter to the
police, who are taking the incident seriously and are treating
it as the criminal offence of failing to stop at the scene of an
accident. His own cab must have been damaged as well and I
reckon it was his nearside front wing that took the brunt of the
impact, so if there are any garages out there that have recently
repaired a black DaC taxi front wing, I and the police, would be
very interested in hearing from them..." ©Call Sign Magazine MMX |
|
|
DaC drivers on ELCO Maldon outing |
|
|
As usual, Dial-a-Cab drivers were among London licensed taxi
drivers on the annual East London Cabbies Outing (ELCO)
taking special needs children from London’s east end on a
fun-packed day out to Maldon. Among those were John Dixon
(B67) and father / daughter team Jan Ramsden (G35J)
and Brian Fox (G35). It was back in 1952 that taxi driver Charles Flemwell started the first ELCO with 8 taxis. Now in 2010, those 8 have risen to 87 with Charles Flemwell’s son, Kenny heading the organising committee. The drivers collected children and their carers from several schools in the East End before heading out to Maldon with a City of London Police escort. The London Ambulance Service provided medical back up and once in Essex, the Blue Knights on their motorbikes also joined the convoy. T&J Rescue accompanied the huge convoy to ensure that any cabs with problems soon felt better! |
 Some of the DaC drivers taking the children to Maldon: L-R Janet Ramsden, John Dixon, Brian Fox (behind) and WCHCD Master Michael Davies As always, Maldon was ready to once again welcome their guests with the town brightly decorated and streets lined with cheering people, both young and old. Kenny Flemwell was at the front of the convoy with air horns blaring to announce the arrival of the taxis, which then made their way into The Plume School for Performing Arts where the students were waiting outside, dressed up with a pirate theme. The Mayor of Maldon, Ken Smith, along with his Mayoress and staff from the school were waiting to receive the visitors. Food was served for the children as well as entertainers being on hand to make the day even more special. Drivers were also given a hot lunch and then it was time for the convoy to parade through the High Street, led by pupils from The Plume School. The Town Mayor, dressed in his robes, together with the Mayoress, Deputy Mayor and Councillors welcomed the taxis from outside the Moot Hall in his robes with the Macebearer in attendance. The convoy made its way to Promenade Park on the river estuary where guests enjoyed an afternoon of entertainment. For anyone making this trip for the first time, the welcome given to the taxis and passengers in the lovely town of Maldon is an amazing experience, one they will remember for a long time. With thanks to Sandie Goodwin and Bob Fisher |
 |
Powered by NetXPosure |
| Copyright 1997-2010 Dial-A-Cab Ltd, All rights reserved. |