Praise for brave effort to avert taxi tragedy

Police have praised the “incredible courage” of several witnesses who attempted to push the people carrier back off the man after he had become trapped under the vehicle along with a woman he was with.

The accident happened just before 8pm on Museum Street in York when the woman in her late 40s and the man in his early 20s ended up under the wheels of the Vauxhall Zafira taxi.

They were both taken to York Hospital for treatment, although the man was pronounced dead at about 9.40pm. The woman was yesterday still in hospital in a serious condition.

Traffic Constable Steve James said: “From our inquiries so far, we understand that a number of people actually helped to push the taxi away from the man and woman who were trapped underneath.

“This is an incredibly courageous thing to do under the circumstances and they deserve a great deal of praise. As well as to thank them for their quick actions and kindness, I also need to speak with them to see if they have any information that could help us piece together the full circumstances surrounding this tragic collision. Even the smallest detail could be important.”

The taxi driver, who is aged in his 40s and lives in York, was uninjured. Police confirmed nobody has been arrested. The crash scene and nearby roads were sealed off to traffic until 1.15am yesterday while a police investigation was carried out. Anyone with information can contact North Yorkshire Police on 0845 6060247.