Kentish Gazette Canterbury & District
Driver, 84, gives up licence after crash in pyjamas
‘After driving incidentfree for 60 years, I would rather it didn’t end this way’
A pensioner with an unblemished 60-year driving record has decided to quit after finding himself upside down in his writtenoff car while wearing pyjamas.
Kenneth Price, 84, crashed his Skoda in the early hours after suffering a diabetic episode.
He says he wasn’t even aware he had got out of bed and into his car.
“I remember settling down for the night and the next thing I was upside down in the car being strangled by the seatbelt.
“It was very frightening but I now know it was because I was hypoglycemic.”
Diabetics struggle to regulate the sugar levels in their blood. Having a ‘hypo’ is where sugar levels plunge dangerously low. It can leave patients confused and clumsy – often resembling being drunk.
Now the widower, of Gilbert Way, Canterbury, says the incident has convinced him to give up his licence.
“I clearly can’t continue and the car is a write-off anyway,” he said.
The accident happened at around 1am on January 26 in Chestfield Road, near Whitstable, and the retired hospital engineer says he is grateful to the passing motorist who stopped to help and called the emergency services to free him.
Mr Price added: “I was lucky not to hurt myself or anyone else but would like to thank everyone who came to help me and got me out.
“Obviously, after driving incident-free for 60 years, I would have rather it didn’t end this way but it’s the sensible thing to do.”
Mr Price said giving up his licence would seriously hamper his voluntary work for the freemasons, for whom he acts as an almoner. The role provides discreet support to members and their families and the widows of past members.
He explains: “I look after around 10 widows, driving them to hospital appointments and helping with things like shopping trips, but won’t be able to do that any more,” he said.
“I will still help but will have to arrange other voluntary transport for them.”