Elderly driver dies in crash after he reportedly fell ill at the wheel in Harborough

As we reported earlier, at least 12 marked and unmarked police cars and vans as well as an ambulance and two paramedics’ cars attended the scene in Western Avenue
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A full-scale 999 operation was triggered today and a busy road was sealed off after an elderly driver died in a crash in Market Harborough.

At least 12 marked and unmarked police cars and vans as well as an ambulance and two paramedics’ cars raced to Western Avenue on the town’s Southern Estate after the man of 86 apparently fell ill at the wheel.

The huge 999 response was sparked after the pensioner crashed his silver Vauxhall Corsa in the car park at the parade of shops on the main thoroughfare in the accident at 10.30am.

Scene of the police incident on Western Avenue in Market Harborough.
PICTURE: ANDREW CARPENTERScene of the police incident on Western Avenue in Market Harborough.
PICTURE: ANDREW CARPENTER
Scene of the police incident on Western Avenue in Market Harborough. PICTURE: ANDREW CARPENTER

The OAP is thought to have been reversing out of the parking bay when he suddenly shot forward.

He appears to have smashed into a parked red car and black Citroen before ploughing into bushes just yards from the Harborough Fish Bar chippie.

The man, who hasn’t been named, is believed to have crashed after suddenly becoming ill as he was trying to drive away to go home.

Medics fought to save his life but he was declared dead at the scene and his next of kin have now been informed.

Scene of the police incident on Western Avenue in Market Harborough.
PICTURE: ANDREW CARPENTERScene of the police incident on Western Avenue in Market Harborough.
PICTURE: ANDREW CARPENTER
Scene of the police incident on Western Avenue in Market Harborough. PICTURE: ANDREW CARPENTER

Nobody else was injured during the tragic drama.

Police cordoned off a 200-yard stretch of Western Avenue from Hewson Motor Hub to The Royalist pub for three hours.

The road, one of the busiest in Market Harborough, was reopened to traffic at about 1.30pm.

A file on the man’s death is now being prepared for the Coroner.

Scene of the police incident on Western Avenue in Market Harborough.
PICTURE: ANDREW CARPENTERScene of the police incident on Western Avenue in Market Harborough.
PICTURE: ANDREW CARPENTER
Scene of the police incident on Western Avenue in Market Harborough. PICTURE: ANDREW CARPENTER

Harry Vasey, 21, who works at used car dealer Hewson Motor Hub just yards from the crash, told the Harborough Mail at the scene: “I’ve never seen so many police cars in my life.

“There are police cars, ambulances and other 999 vehicles up and down Western Avenue.

“I was hoovering out one of our cars at the time and didn’t see or hear anything.

“The drama all happened at about 10.35 this morning.”

Scene of the police incident on Western Avenue in Market Harborough.
PICTURE: ANDREW CARPENTERScene of the police incident on Western Avenue in Market Harborough.
PICTURE: ANDREW CARPENTER
Scene of the police incident on Western Avenue in Market Harborough. PICTURE: ANDREW CARPENTER

He added: “We are closed at the moment in the new Covid lockdown – so at least the road being sealed off doesn’t affect us too much.

“But I’ve obviously never seen such a scene here on Western Avenue, it’s just amazing, shocking.

“The police have asked me if I saw anything and they’re out there knocking on doors.”

A local man in his 50s told the Mail: “I’ve counted at least 12 police cars all along the road – it’s just incredible.

“I was watching a film at home but as soon as I heard all the commotion I ran out and came to see what was going on.

“It’s unbelievable – it’s as if there’s been a major crime like a murder committed here.

Scene of the police incident on Western Avenue in Market Harborough.
PICTURE: ANDREW CARPENTERScene of the police incident on Western Avenue in Market Harborough.
PICTURE: ANDREW CARPENTER
Scene of the police incident on Western Avenue in Market Harborough. PICTURE: ANDREW CARPENTER

“When have you ever seen so many cops rush out to a straightforward crash?”

The man, who lives on Western Avenue, added: “There are specialist and unmarked police cars here too – and that does make me wonder what’s really going on here.

“I’ve never seen this many police vehicles and ambulances anywhere – never mind here on Western Avenue in the middle of Market Harborough.”