Wincanton woman cannot attend funeral after Citroen recalls
The "stop-drive" instruction issued by Stellantis, which owns Citroen, followed growing concerns about the safety of airbags fitted to these models, following a fatal accident in France last month.It is the latest drama in the 20-year scandal over now-defunct Japanese manufacturer Takata, whose airbags were installed by nearly all the world's leading car-makers."It was news to me because I hadn't heard anything about these recalls and I was mortified," Ms Slater said."I tried contacting a local garage but they were inundated, a garage in Trowbridge quoted me the end of August to get it done.
'Very rare'
"I contacted my insurance and they said I'm not covered if I'm in an accident. I'm fortunate in that I'm retired but there must be people who are working who can't get to work."Stuart Masson, a motoring journalist known as the Car Expert, said while vehicle recalls were quite common, stop-drive notices were "very rare". "It's even rarer when they involve large numbers of cars, we're talking about 120,000 in the UK, in Europe about 900,000," Mr Masson added."Unsurprisingly it's not the easiest thing to make it all fixed immediately."Stellantis said it had no plans to provide compensation, while adding it had "mobilised the whole company" to source the number of replacement airbags required.A spokesperson said: "It is inevitable, with such a large number of vehicles affected, that customers will be inconvenienced in the short term."What is not clear is how customers should get their cars to dealerships for the repair work, as they cannot be driven. Industry experts say drivers should check with their insurers before getting behind the wheel.The company said it was "investigating options of airbag replacement at other sites, in addition to our Citroen network, including at [the owner's] home".
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Mail
15 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
Domesday Book village is up in arms as new owner of £585,000 historic cottage applies to bulldoze it in favour of 'modern, bland new-build' homes
Villagers are up in arms after the new owner of a £585,000 historic cottage applied to bulldoze it to make way for new-build homes. Eric Abbott has also hit out at new owners of the property he lived in for more than 60 years after claiming they only sold it on the condition that it would be lived in by a family. Almost a thousand people have now signed a petition to stop the development in Swanmore, Hampshire, and 200 objections were written during the public consultation period for the plans. New owner Simon Smith has submitted an application to Winchester City Council to demolish the house and build two two-storey modern houses with four bedrooms each, parking for three cars and gardens. Neighbours think that the new build won't fit in well with the character of the village, and will cause traffic problems on an already busy street which is around the corner from a primary school. Houses on the street cost an average of £800,000, and some buildings in Swanmore - which is mentioned in the Domesday Book - date back to the 16th or early 17th centuries. Villagers received flyers about the petition against the redevelopment, which has 931 signatures, through their letterboxes. The flyers said that the cottage, known as Hiawatha, is being 'flattened' and replaced with 'two modern, bland new-builds'. Former company director Mr Abbott, 94, raised his family in the property with his wife Peggy. It was sold after being put on the market last year for £585,000. In an objection he wrote against the planning application, Mr Abbott said: 'As the previous owner of Hiawatha I was totally dismayed to see the change of heart of the new owners attempting to destroy Hiawatha and replace with totally unsuitable houses. 'I instructed the estate agent to ensure my wonderful house was only sold to a family who would love it like I did and not destroy it. 'The estate agent assured me that he had made this clear to the new owners and that they had agreed it to be their forever home which is all I ever wanted for another family to love it like I had for the last 64 years. 'It seems they lied and were buying Hiawatha for financial gain. 'I had been offered to sell to many builders and I declined as this house is part of history, it was there before Chapel Road was even made. 'I would never have sold it had I known this was their intention and they knew that. 'There is an ancient well that in the deeds demands that it should be operable for future water shortages in the village and this was a legal requirement. 'I believe Hiawatha was built in the 15th century it is a beautiful flint cottage which should not be replaced with two identical new builds. 'I feel it should remain standing and let the slow worms, birds, bats and many other species carry on living as they have been for many years. 'I strongly object and do hope that this does not go ahead it would be a great shame to the wonderful village of Swanmore.' David Hughes, 63, lives nearby and hopes he's not a 'nimby' for wanting the house to keep its character. The scientist said: 'I put in [an objection] saying I wasn't very keen on it, hopefully not from a nimby point of view. 'If we're not careful, we'll have a lot of new houses here. 'It's an unusual-looking house, it breaks up some of the monotony of the architecture.' The villager admitted that he was surprised 'how many other people were that bothered about it'. Swanmore local John Allen thinks that the council like the idea of the demolition because replacing the house with two houses will bring in more council tax. The 79 year old retiree said: 'The council like it, wouldn't it, more council tax, more money, that sort of thing.' Paraphrasing film producer Samuel Goldwyn in reference to Mr Abbott's agreement with the new owners, he said 'a verbal agreement isn't worth the paper it's written on'. 'He should've got it done legally,' he said. A middle-aged female neighbour who wanted to remain anonymous said she had signed the petition against the redevelopment. She said: 'I don't think it's the prettiest building in the village, but my main concern for it is if they put two properties in it. 'The road is already abused enough with traffic, I know there's three bedrooms [in each house].' 'As we all know, if you've got three teenagers moved in all of a sudden you haven't got enough parking.' An elderly female neighbour who also didn't want to be named said that it's 'bad' that the new owners didn't honour the agreement not to demolish the house. 'That's pretty poor, actually, I think,' she said. 'I mean, they knew what they were going to be doing with it - that doesn't seem very honest.' Ash Bennett, Mr Abbott's former neighbour, a 54 year old air traffic controller said: 'I've lived here 18, 19 years. 'I was aware when they sold the house, I didn't know until more recently about what was going to happen to it. 'I didn't follow it closely, but my understanding was that there was an agreement it wasn't going to be knocked down and developed, it would be renovated which isn't what they wanted to do. 'Personally speaking, I would rather they wouldn't knock it down.' The father of three added that the house needs 'a lot of work'. He said: 'I went in it 18 years ago, nothing much has been done to it since. 'My understanding is it would require a lot of work to it.' On the planning application, Historic England said that there is no evidence to indicate that the building predates the 19th century - it is believed to have been built between 1840 and 1868. It said: 'The building does not illustrate an important aspect of the nation's history, nor does it have the historic associations with nationally important individuals, groups, or events, which might give it historic special interest.' A decision is due to be made about the planning application on July 18.
Daily Mail
15 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
Horror moment garage owner's penis is CRUSHED by an out-of-control car leaving it 'unrecognisable'
A garage owner revealed footage of the horrifying moment his manhood was crushed by an out-of-control car - leaving him unsure if his 'unrecognisable' penis still works. Karl Farrar was struggling to reverse the BMW Estate into his garage to work on it so he put the handbrake on and jumped out of the vehicle. But as the 49-year-old got out of the car during the incident on June 16, it began rolling down the ramp. Terrifying footage shows Karl unsuccessfully trying to stop the vehicle rolling by pushing on it before eventually being smashed against the wall. He can be seen yelling desperately for help before a staff member tries to help him by getting in the car and attempting to drive it away. However Karl says the car was still in reverse gear so it went backwards further, crushing him again before the member of staff eventually manoeuvred the vehicle away from him. The wince-inducing video then shows him collapse in the centre of the shop floor, unable to get back up. He was taken to Manchester Royal Infirmary by ambulance where he stayed for a week and docs told him he has suffered soft tissue damage to his pelvic area and groin after an MRI. Karl says he has been unable to watch the CCTV footage back himself as it is too 'traumatic' for him. Most worryingly, he admits that some areas of his manhood are unrecognisable and he is still unsure if they 'work or function' but he remains hopeful it is OK. Karl, from Hyndburn, Lancashire, said: 'My man bits were smashed to bits. They were swollen, they were black and blue and unrecognisable in one bit. 'I don't know if they work or function because the area is very painful and sore still but I think it'll be okay. It was scary for a couple of weeks though. 'It's Final Destination stuff. 'My sensitive man area got smashed into my stomach and the belt buckle went into my stomach. A lot of the damage is soft tissue and nerve damage. Luckily nothing broke. 'It was obviously very painful but I'm not one for being amazingly soft. 'The scariest thing for me was when they had me on the floor and they were trying to put my leg straight and I couldn't bear it because the pain was too bad. 'The fact that I've done drifting racing for 16 years and drag racing and never hurt myself [but have now] injured myself on a random runaway car is pretty unlucky. 'For a couple of days I couldn't really move my right leg and that was scary because they [the doctors] said it had this crushing injury and I didn't really understand it. 'They were talking to people about maybe losing my lower leg and having to cut from top to bottom and I was on a ward with people who had legs off and were having legs off. That scared me. 'I think it's traumatic [the video]. I don't want to see it.' He said they later found out the car had an issue with its handbrake and he estimates the vehicle weighs around 1,800kg. He said the car was also battered so workers at his garage fitted it with two new doors and fixed its rear. Karl said: 'Many people have asked what's happened and I've struggled to explain properly so here you go. 'The car was put in reverse twice so that crushed my leg harder into the booth. 'I'm now hobbling about but there's still some pretty grim internal damage and a hole in my groin area. That said I've done way better than the doctors and physio thought I would at this point. 'I've been brave enough to download the video and share it so I know I was dumb trying to stop it it all happened so fast so be kind.' One commented: 'You're gonna have to start wearing a Cape now.' A second said: 'Lucky lucky man.' A third added: 'That could have been a lot worse, glad you're on the mend.'
Daily Mail
36 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
'Irreplaceable' 100-year-old Rolls-Royce stolen in hotel heist is returned after schoolboy spotted it and told his father - who then tipped off police
An 'irreplaceable' 100-year-old Rolls-Royce worth £300,000 has been miraculously recovered after being stolen during a brazen hotel heist in Essex. The rare Silver Ghost - which has travelled across Europe and even survived World War II - was snatched in the early hours of June 26 from outside the Orsett Hall near Grays while its owner, 82-year-old Brian Fitton, was asleep inside. The vintage car, which had been due to depart for a tour of Helsinki and the Baltic states, vanished along with its trailer, leaving the retired scrapyard owner's 'heartbroken'. But in a remarkable twist, the treasured motor was discovered in a ramshackle shed thanks to a schoolboy's eagle eye. Mr Fitton, who had offered a £2,000 reward for the car's safe return, shared his relief following its recovery. The vehicle's owner said: 'It was thanks to the power of the press that the car has been recovered. 'A schoolboy spotted it and told his father he had seen a lovely vintage car. His dad had seen the publicity around the theft and got in touch to help with the recovery. The veteran vehicle enthusiast, from Wilmslow, Cheshire, added: 'Essex Police went to the area it was spotted in and recovered it intact on the trailer from a dirty old shed. 'The vehicle has survived Hitler and World War Two, and now it has survived a trip to Essex. 'I am delighted it has been recovered. I am hoping the reward is a small fortune for the young lad, and hope that shows him that doing the right thing in life pays off. 'To have the vehicle stolen ahead of dropping it off at Tilbury Docks for the ferry to Helsinki was absolutely heartbreaking, but this is a happy ending.' The century-old Silver Ghost, fitted with original parts and the iconic Spirit of Ecstasy bonnet ornament, was bought from a British Petroleum collection in Denmark through a Bonhams auction. Mr Fitton spent years restoring its engine and has toured it around Europe, from Portugal to Poland and everywhere in between. 'The car is full of irreplaceable parts, it's an original and has even got the original Lady on the grill,' he said. 'The car has been all over the world and is an advert for British motors. It's been everywhere and it was just appalling that it got stolen in Essex'. Development of the Silver Ghost goes back to the start of the 20th century, before development was suspended during World War 1. During the conflict, the chassis and engine were used for armoured cars - while a blue 1909 model known as Blue Mist was used by legendary officer Laurence of Arabia. A total of 7874 Silver Ghosts were produced between 1907 and 1926, with former owners of the luxury vehicle including American President Woodrow Wilson. It was named the 'best car in the world' by Autocar in 1907. The theft - and joyful recovery - comes as Essex Police announced a drop in vehicle crime, with 573 fewer offences recorded in the country over the past year, representing a ten per cent decrease. Shaun Kane, Essex Police's Detective Superintendent, said: 'Vehicle theft is not a victimless crime - it causes real distress to owners and disruption to their everyday lives and their businesses. 'We're proud to have made such significant progress in reducing this type of crime, and it will be welcomed by everyone in Essex.' For now, Mr Fitton says he is delighted to be reunited with his beloved Rolls – and he hopes its next stop will be Helsinki, as originally planned.
