Dog killed in four vehicle crash
A DOG has died after being thrown from a car in a dramatic four-vehicle crash.
Eyewitnesses said the elderly driver of a red Citroen C3 courtesy car appeared to lose control of the vehicle as it turned into George Street, Devonport, at around 1.20pm yesterday.mon.
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COLLISION: Emergency services at George Street, Mount Wise
They described seeing the Citroen drive around the corner of George Street before being in collision with a black Ford Focus and rebounding on to a Ford Fiesta and Mondeo.
It then ended up on its side.
A dog, thought to belong to the driver of the Citroen, was thrown from the car.
"It was a nightmare," said Annette Deschenes, who saw the accident unfold. "The car flew around the roundabout and went up in the air about 10 or 15 feet.
"I just don't know how he survived it.
"There was a dog in the car but it ended up in the road."
Ms Deschenes said she and a group of other bystanders ran over to help both the man and the animal but when she tried to move the dog, it bit her.
"I was bitten on the arm," she said. "I'm bruised but OK; it's not the dog's fault."
She added that the long-haired black or brown mongrel dog was called Bella and wearing a collar and a lead.
Another witness to the incident said he was amazed that the driver had not been killed.
"The driver walked into an ambulance," said the local resident, who did not want to be named. "I don't know how, but he did.
Two fire crews from Camels Head attended the scene and made the vehicles safe.
Police said the driver was not thought to have serious injuries and was described as 'walking wounded'. The spokesman said he was taken to Derriford Hospital for treatment and the courtesy car was towed away.
George Street was closed while glass and debris were cleared away from the crash scene, and the road re-opened at 3.50pm.
The police spokesman later said the dog, which had been taken to a vet, had died.
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by shaun, plymouth
Wednesday, October 14 2009, 7:43AM
“for all the people saying give the driver a break and feel sorry for him!!! have you seen the pictures of the damage he caused????
he was clearly doing something seriously wrong to smash his car and 3 others up that badly..... if he caused that much damage and managed to gain air from doing 30mph and driving properly, we might have to reduce the speed limits to about 5mph. you idiots, he could of killed more than just his dog. would you all be saying cut him some slck if he wiped out a mother with kids crossing the road?????”
by shaun, plymouth
Wednesday, October 14 2009, 7:37AM
“yeh what ever riderdriverdave!!!!!
carry on superman, mr never drives a wee bit fast etc.
it would do the roads brilliant having all these test cars around 24-7 to fit in how many retests would be going on.
and im the unintellgent 1 am i????
P R A T”
by Jules, Plymouth
Wednesday, October 14 2009, 6:31AM
“Dave,you are right,I'd like to comment about politicians Grrrrr”
by Anon, UK
Wednesday, October 14 2009, 5:18AM
“As far as I can see from this article, nobody knows the EXACT cause of this accident yet nearly everybody on here has an 'expert' opinion based on nothing!!”
by Mick, Barbican
Wednesday, October 14 2009, 12:15AM
“Quote- "The driver was descibed as walking wounded"
Dog-"Never mind 'im, wot about me?"”
by witness, plymouth
Tuesday, October 13 2009, 9:08PM
“what a terrible crash i was unlucky enough to witness the tail end of this and is was so sad .. the dog in fact was not thrown from the car it dragged its self from the car as u can see from the blood trail in many pics , some thing i wish never to see again , the fire men showed alot of respect to the dog one who comforted the dog , .... R.I.P bella”
by Percy Vere, sofa
Tuesday, October 13 2009, 8:57PM
“My condolences to Bella. I didn't know you, but you were obviously a great companion.
Now you have gone to the great kennel in the sky, where bones are plentiful, and vets do not carry out painful ops.
Rest in peace faithful friend.
PS
Were you the one who was really driving the car?”
by Bob, Plymouth
Tuesday, October 13 2009, 8:36PM
“The answer would be for mandatory retesting to be phased in for new drivers and made optional for existing drivers, much as they are now. This would be a fairer system as anyone wanting to learn to drive would know they would be retested during their driving career and also what the cost of holding a licence would be. This would also give time for the test centres to cope with a slowly increasing demand rather than a huge demand all at once. Compulsory retesting of drivers can only make the roads safer.”
by david, higher compton
Tuesday, October 13 2009, 8:26PM
“you idiots should be more worried about the fact that you are not allowed to comment on stuff such as imigration or gypsys etc ... rather than this kind of stuff ... a traffic accident ... fools . start sticking up for your rights .... idiots .”
by Claire, Cornwall
Tuesday, October 13 2009, 7:45PM
“"i proberly paid out £3,000 on driving lessons, test and theory. i passed all the first time and wouldnt be willing to pay all that again. its too much money. and i think they should lower the price of lessons and give youngsters a chance! im very sorry about the collision and is deeply sadened by the death of the dog. i would be devastated if it were to be my dog instead of me really! R.I.P bella xx lacey, devonport, plymouth "
It makes me wonder if you're safe to be on the road if you spent that much learning to drive! Your spelling and grammar actually makes me wonder if you are old enough to drive at all.”