From the Rolls-Royce experimental archive: a quarter of a million communications from Rolls-Royce, 1906 to 1960's. Documents from the Sir Henry Royce Memorial Foundation (SHRMF).
Accident involving the Corniche model, including driver's injuries, a witness account, and initial damage assessment.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 98\5\ scan0065 | |
| Date | 9th August 1939 | |
| 4509 To. Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} c. Mr. Lomas [crossed out] CHATEAUROUX. 4/9.8.39. 14.B.V.- CORNICHE. Further to our wire and telephone conversation yesterday evening, we are sorry to report that the Corniche was badly damaged as a result of knocking a tree over, diving into the ditch, and rolling over. Rose was driving. He has fairly bad contusions on the chest but no broken ribs. His chin is badly cut. We do not think there is any cause for alarm regarding his condition, but he will have to keep quiet for a day or two. He is preparing a report. Gardiner and I, while standing by the car, heard the only witness's account. He first stated to some spectators that he was the indirect cause of the accident. He said he was driving out of his farm track onto the main road at 30 to 40 k.m.p.h. The first thing he was aware of was the squeal of tyres and the tree going down, he saw nothing. He added that he stopped in such a position that the car could have passed him, but as far as we could understand from his description, he crossed the road first. We do not think legally we should have any claim against him as the Bentley crashed a considerable distance before the farm track. It seems that the road was just wet enough from a light local shower to be extremely slippery but did not appear dangerous. We think that had the Bentley not crashed it would in all probability have hit the other car. We are stripping the car for examination and report on the extent of the damage. --------- Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}/IMW.{Ivan M. Waller - Head of Chateauroux} J.Weller | ||