EDINBURGH

A taxi has struck a pedestrian on the pavement in Queen Street this afternoon after the driver suffered a possible 'medical incident' at the wheel.

Police and paramedics were called to the scene at Murray & Currie Property Sales & Lettings at the corner of North Castle Street, along with the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS), shortly after 1pm.

A police spokesman confirmed that a male pedestrian in his 50s has been taken to the Edinburgh Royal Infirmary with serious injuries.

The spokesman said: "One line of inquiry is that the driver of the taxi may have suffered a medical incident but it's still to be ascertained by paramedics who are looking at him."

A nearby cafe owner told the Evening News they saw an older male taxi driver who came driving along Queen Street who appeared to lose control, adding: "He was injured and bleeding from the head.

"His two female passengers got out and were screaming at him."

A staff member at neighbouring hairdressers Bleach Please said: "There was a guy lying on the floor unconscious after the taxi came off the road.

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The new Mercedes-Benz EQV, which is being tipped as the vehicle most likely to become Mercedes offering as a taxi in the UK market, will be shown to the public for the first time at this year's IAA in September.

The most eye catching news surrounding its design is the massive 405 kilometres range, thats 252 miles to us in the UK, although it must be noted that these remain provisional figures from Mercedes.

Another impressive feature of the vehicle is the impressive rapid charging of the high-voltage battery from 10 to 80 per cent in less than an hour.

The price of the vehicle as a non-modified van is however expected to start at £60,000. Whether the EVQ can make the conversion to a wheelchair accessible black cab at a cost that drivers are willing to pay, remains the big question.

Marcus Breitschwerdt, Head of Mercedes-Benz Vans, said: "Our MPVs meet the highest standards in terms of functionality and variability. The EQV also does not compromise in this respect. It offers comfortable handling, dynamic electro-aesthetics, intuitive operation and generous space – and all locally emissions-free. This means that it offers all of the typical qualities of the brand and segment that our customers expect, whether as a family car or a shuttle vehicle with a lounge-like character"

The price of the vehicle as a non-modified van is however expected to start at £60,000. Whether the EVQ can make the conversion to a wheelchair accessible black cab at a cost that drivers are willing to pay, remains the big question.


Marcus Breitschwerdt, Head of Mercedes-Benz Vans, said: "Our MPVs meet the highest standards in terms of functionality and variability. The EQV also does not compromise in this respect. It offers comfortable handling, dynamic electro-aesthetics, intuitive operation and generous space – and all locally emissions-free. This means that it offers all of the typical qualities of the brand and segment that our customers expect, whether as a family car or a shuttle vehicle with a lounge-like character"

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SANDWELL


 A TAXI driver who was found to be drunk twice in the space of six days has had his licence revoked.

Sandwell Council's licensing committee disqualified the unnamed man at a closed meeting of councillors last month.

Minutes of the decision show the driver, referred to only as Mr S B,  had previously appeared before the licensing committee on April 23 this year after being convicted of being drunk in charge of his licenced vehicle when his licence was suspended  for four weeks.

Six days later, licensing officers received information Mr S B had been arrested again by the police for a non-motoring related matter when he admitted he had a drinking problem.

When his suspension ended he was interviewed by licensing officers about the second arrest and accepted he was in breach of conditions because he had not reported the second incident.

Saying he had since seen his doctor and been referred to a help group for those with drink or drugs issues,  Mr S B told the committee he not had an an alcoholic drink in seven weeks.

He said he did not report the second arrest because he had hadn’t been charged by police.

 After taking legal advice the committee found he had been drinking to excess and was not a fit and proper person to hold a Sandwell licence.

Councillors remarked  Mr S B had been a taxi driver for 20 years and should have been aware that any incidents must be reported to the Licensing Office within seven days.

They added that he had been involved in two alcohol related incidents within a short period of time and it was considered there was a risk to public safety.

Black Country News

(perhaps the Rum and Black Country news)
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