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 report concerning a Bentley hitting a pedestrian near London Colney.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 113\4\ scan0015 | |
| Date | 25th September 1936 | |
| To D/L. Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/GR.{George Ratcliffe}12/KW.25.9.36. X1002 Report on Accident near London Colney. This occurred at 4.20 p.m. on Thursday 24th September, on the main derestricted road about 1/4 mile before the village of London Colney. The car was B-106-GA, registered CXD-777, a Bentley belonging to Mr. E.R. Hall. The car was being returned to the Works from London. A young woman named Miss Mary Ling, a probationer nurse employed at the Shenley Mental Hospital, ran across the road from a swimming pool adjacent into the side of the car. The speed of the car was 35-40 M.P.H. coasting in gear. I sounded the electric horns immediately I saw her running across, but she took no notice. I applied the brakes on maximum and stopped within ten yards. She collided with the offside rear wing, which was dented, being made of light aluminium, and then fell down in the road. In swerving to the nearside curb to avoid her the near side rear wheel and tyre was damaged, by contact with the curb. Two witnesses who were in a car going in the opposite direction gave assistance and took her to the hospital nearby. Miss Ling had a slight cut at the back of her head. She apologised and said she was very sorry, and admitted that it was entirely her own fault. The two witnesses heard this and gave the following names and address :- Mr. Powell, driver of oncoming car, and his friend Mr. H.{Arthur M. Hanbury - Head Complaints} Andrews, both at the same address - Planet News, 3, Johnson Court, Fleet St.{Capt. P. R. Strong}, London, E.C.4. Mr. Powell returned from the hospital and said that Miss Ling was receiving attention. After obtaining names and addresses I returned to Derby and reported the accident to the Police Station at Bloomfield St.{Capt. P. R. Strong} (P.C.96) at 10 p.m., making a similar statement and giving all particulars. Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/G.H.Ratcliffe. | ||