Driver killed taking recalled car to get tests

AWD Chaser · 13-03-2010, 09:22 PM

http://www.news.com.au/breaking-news...-1225840396215

Quote:

A BRITISH pensioner driving his recalled Peugeot to a dealer for checks was killed when it shot into a busy road.
Frank Beer's semi-automatic 107 was one of 6000 due to have its accelerator pedals checked, The Sun reported.

The cars were made in a joint venture with Toyota — which is recalling millions of cars with faulty pedals.

Frank hit an oncoming Land Rover as he lurched on to the A30 in Launceston, Cornwall, on Wednesday.

The 83-year-old — town crier of the nearby town of Liskeard — died at the scene.

A 44-year-old woman in the other car had minor injuries.

Police are now checking the Peugeot's accelerator.

Frank's son Tim, a former cop, said: "While he was waiting to cross a fast road, his car moved forward twice.

"We want some answers. I want to know if the car my father was driving was faulty. The next fatal accident could involve a family."

All semi-automatic 107s — made alongside Toyotas at a factory in the Czech Republic — were recalled in February.

A Peugeot Citroen spokesman said none of the 3000 cars checked so far had faults.

He added: "We can't comment because we are awaiting police reports."

chrisfpv · 13-03-2010, 10:56 PM

How tragic.

JC · 13-03-2010, 11:16 PM

Sensationalism by the press? At 83, his reflexes and actions may not have been what they once were. Next we'll be seeing headines like "Territory with suspected faulty ball joints involved in fatal accident"....which was caused by the driver hitting a tree at 120 because he was drunk!

Still, the car could have lurched forward by itself...tragic accident.

Kryton · 13-03-2010, 11:35 PM

No evidence at all that the accelerator was at fault (and not the driver) and it makes the news?
The media really do need to get a size 12 right up the clacker.
Seems we as the public, have let the media, and what they report, go too far if we can sit back as a society and let them report such rubbish as this and most other news items reported.

BigAL_250 · 13-03-2010, 11:52 PM

I don't think Top Gear had any troubles with the 10 of them they trashed a few years ago, I doubt no others have been treated as badly in that time.

Whitey Ford · 15-03-2010, 10:59 AM

Town Crier is an actual job?

aussie muscle · 15-03-2010, 11:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kia Chaser

— made alongside Toyotas at a factory in the Czech Republic —

There's the problem, right there....

blueline · 15-03-2010, 01:09 PM

peugeot 107's and toyota aygo's are made on the came production line in the czech republic, same as the citroen C1's. if they were fitted up with the same CTS-supplied accelerator pedals as the prius, then it could be legit. although it wouldn't 'lurch' forward if it was the same problem as the prius.

388cube_edxr8 · 15-03-2010, 05:19 PM

As tragic as this is, is it possible that the car may have lurched forward because his foot was on the wrong pedal?

blueline · 15-03-2010, 05:47 PM

although, on pondering this, if the accelerator pedal did stick while the town crier was moving forward, then he hit the brakes, the engine could have been revving enough for his car to jump forward when he let the brakes go. and if he let the brakes go twice then his car would have 'lurched' forward a coupla times. i am assuming his son is going off witness statements for what he is saying, or was in the car behind.

or he could have had his foot on the wrong pedal.