Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Man killed after driving vintage wooden car on to motorway

Eighty-year-old driver believed to have taken wrong turn on to M23 during rally

Chiara Giordano
Monday 04 November 2019 09:58 GMT
Comments
Still image taken from video shows scene of crash on M23 near Hooley, Surrey, where an 80-year-old man died after his vintage wooden car collided with a lorry on 3 September, 2019.
Still image taken from video shows scene of crash on M23 near Hooley, Surrey, where an 80-year-old man died after his vintage wooden car collided with a lorry on 3 September, 2019. (UK News In Pictures/YouTube)

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

An 80-year-old man has died after his vintage wooden car collided with a lorry on a motorway.

The motorist had been driving his wooden-bodied 1903 model Knox Runabout Old Porcupine from London to Brighton as part of a rally on Sunday morning.

However, it is believed he took a wrong turn and deviated on to the M23 which was not part of the official route.

Surrey Police said the man was thrown from the car after it was struck by an HGV near the village of Hooley.

He was pronounced dead at the scene.

A female passenger, believed to be his wife, was airlifted to hospital with head injuries.

Surrey Police said in a statement: "We can confirm that a man has sadly died following a collision on the southbound carriageway of the M23 near J7 Hooley this morning.

"The collision, involving a car (1903 Knox Runabout Old Porcupine) and an HGV, took place around 10am.

"The driver of the car, an 80-year-old man, was pronounced dead at the scene shortly after the collision, and a female passenger has been taken to hospital by ambulance with serious injuries.

Support free-thinking journalism and attend Independent events

“Police have notified the man's next of kin."

South East Coast Ambulance Service said a woman was taken to St George's Hospital, but that her injuries were not thought to be serious.

A second man was also treated at the scene for minor injuries, the statement said.

Additional reporting by Press Association.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in