Canvey man dies in head-on crash

2:45pm Monday 3rd September 2012 in News

TWO people were tragically killed in a car crash following a  head-on collision on a busy road in Somerset.

Two people were also hospitalised following the crash on Thursday.

Paul Hobday, 61, from Canvey, and a female companion who was in her 60s, died tragically after their Ford Focus Estate collided with a Volkswagen on the A303 Ilminster Bypass in Somerset.
There were two people in the Volkswagen.
Paramedics had to airlift one man to Frenchay Hospital in Bristol after he sustained serious injuries to his pelvis.
Meanwhile the female passenger was taken to Musgrove Park Hospital in Taunton and treated for minor injuries.
Police said the crash occurred when the car travelled across the central reservation of the busy road hitting the van on the opposite carriageway.
The road was closed to motorists for almost four hours while emergency services dealt with the incident.

 

Anyone wishing to pay tribute can do so in our comments box below. Please keep comments tasteful.

Comments (21)

3:53pm Mon 3 Sep 12

AndyBSG says...

Tragic news but the report is a little unclear as to which vehicle was actually on the wrong side of the road.

It says the 'car' was on the wrong side of the road and hit the 'van' but seeing as it doesn't say what the make of the VW was, only that the Ford was an estate, i'm assuming it was the Ford that was on the wrong side?
Tragic news but the report is a little unclear as to which vehicle was actually on the wrong side of the road. It says the 'car' was on the wrong side of the road and hit the 'van' but seeing as it doesn't say what the make of the VW was, only that the Ford was an estate, i'm assuming it was the Ford that was on the wrong side? AndyBSG

4:15pm Mon 3 Sep 12

r6keith says...

AndyBSG wrote:
Tragic news but the report is a little unclear as to which vehicle was actually on the wrong side of the road. It says the 'car' was on the wrong side of the road and hit the 'van' but seeing as it doesn't say what the make of the VW was, only that the Ford was an estate, i'm assuming it was the Ford that was on the wrong side?
May this couple rest in peace .

Andy , the last line of this articule said " Anyone wishing to pay tribute can do so in our comments box below. Please keep comments tasteful. " !!!!
[quote][p][bold]AndyBSG[/bold] wrote: Tragic news but the report is a little unclear as to which vehicle was actually on the wrong side of the road. It says the 'car' was on the wrong side of the road and hit the 'van' but seeing as it doesn't say what the make of the VW was, only that the Ford was an estate, i'm assuming it was the Ford that was on the wrong side?[/p][/quote]May this couple rest in peace . Andy , the last line of this articule said " Anyone wishing to pay tribute can do so in our comments box below. Please keep comments tasteful. " !!!! r6keith

4:18pm Mon 3 Sep 12

AndyBSG says...

r6keith wrote:
AndyBSG wrote:
Tragic news but the report is a little unclear as to which vehicle was actually on the wrong side of the road. It says the 'car' was on the wrong side of the road and hit the 'van' but seeing as it doesn't say what the make of the VW was, only that the Ford was an estate, i'm assuming it was the Ford that was on the wrong side?
May this couple rest in peace .

Andy , the last line of this articule said " Anyone wishing to pay tribute can do so in our comments box below. Please keep comments tasteful. " !!!!
Uhhmmm, where on earth is there anything distasteful in my comments, i'm just pointing out that the article isn't very clear on what happened...
[quote][p][bold]r6keith[/bold] wrote: [quote][p][bold]AndyBSG[/bold] wrote: Tragic news but the report is a little unclear as to which vehicle was actually on the wrong side of the road. It says the 'car' was on the wrong side of the road and hit the 'van' but seeing as it doesn't say what the make of the VW was, only that the Ford was an estate, i'm assuming it was the Ford that was on the wrong side?[/p][/quote]May this couple rest in peace . Andy , the last line of this articule said " Anyone wishing to pay tribute can do so in our comments box below. Please keep comments tasteful. " !!!![/p][/quote]Uhhmmm, where on earth is there anything distasteful in my comments, i'm just pointing out that the article isn't very clear on what happened... AndyBSG

6:42pm Mon 3 Sep 12

Janice36 says...

This lady was know locally for walking her small dog who also died in the accident she was often know for her colour of lilac and lived on kings park. This has devasted a lot of people on the park and our thoughts are with her family and her boyfriend Paul's family who also lost his life. They were lovely people and was such a tragic accident. RIP Michelle & Paul ****
This lady was know locally for walking her small dog who also died in the accident she was often know for her colour of lilac and lived on kings park. This has devasted a lot of people on the park and our thoughts are with her family and her boyfriend Paul's family who also lost his life. They were lovely people and was such a tragic accident. RIP Michelle & Paul **** Janice36

6:50pm Mon 3 Sep 12

L22Xxx says...

AndyBSG wrote:
Tragic news but the report is a little unclear as to which vehicle was actually on the wrong side of the road.

It says the 'car' was on the wrong side of the road and hit the 'van' but seeing as it doesn't say what the make of the VW was, only that the Ford was an estate, i'm assuming it was the Ford that was on the wrong side?
Dont think your comment is really appropriate to this article it none of yours or anyones business how it happened and who fault it is
[quote][p][bold]AndyBSG[/bold] wrote: Tragic news but the report is a little unclear as to which vehicle was actually on the wrong side of the road. It says the 'car' was on the wrong side of the road and hit the 'van' but seeing as it doesn't say what the make of the VW was, only that the Ford was an estate, i'm assuming it was the Ford that was on the wrong side?[/p][/quote]Dont think your comment is really appropriate to this article it none of yours or anyones business how it happened and who fault it is L22Xxx

7:42pm Mon 3 Sep 12

Yvonne1959 says...

This is just dreadful news. My heart goes out to their Families. I did not know Paul but I have known Michelle and her children for most of my life sadly have lost contact in recent years, such a shock to read this! Much love and condolence to Michelle, Teresa and Terry xxx
This is just dreadful news. My heart goes out to their Families. I did not know Paul but I have known Michelle and her children for most of my life sadly have lost contact in recent years, such a shock to read this! Much love and condolence to Michelle, Teresa and Terry xxx Yvonne1959

9:42am Tue 4 Sep 12

r6keith says...

L22Xxx wrote:
AndyBSG wrote: Tragic news but the report is a little unclear as to which vehicle was actually on the wrong side of the road. It says the 'car' was on the wrong side of the road and hit the 'van' but seeing as it doesn't say what the make of the VW was, only that the Ford was an estate, i'm assuming it was the Ford that was on the wrong side?
Dont think your comment is really appropriate to this article it none of yours or anyones business how it happened and who fault it is
Andy. Take what L22Xxx has written onboard.
[quote][p][bold]L22Xxx[/bold] wrote: [quote][p][bold]AndyBSG[/bold] wrote: Tragic news but the report is a little unclear as to which vehicle was actually on the wrong side of the road. It says the 'car' was on the wrong side of the road and hit the 'van' but seeing as it doesn't say what the make of the VW was, only that the Ford was an estate, i'm assuming it was the Ford that was on the wrong side?[/p][/quote]Dont think your comment is really appropriate to this article it none of yours or anyones business how it happened and who fault it is[/p][/quote]Andy. Take what L22Xxx has written onboard. r6keith

1:13pm Tue 4 Sep 12

AndyBSG says...

r6keith wrote:
L22Xxx wrote:
AndyBSG wrote: Tragic news but the report is a little unclear as to which vehicle was actually on the wrong side of the road. It says the 'car' was on the wrong side of the road and hit the 'van' but seeing as it doesn't say what the make of the VW was, only that the Ford was an estate, i'm assuming it was the Ford that was on the wrong side?
Dont think your comment is really appropriate to this article it none of yours or anyones business how it happened and who fault it is
Andy. Take what L22Xxx has written onboard.
Err, no.

I still fail to see any reason why it is inappropriate to expect a news story on a car accident to contain details of how the accident happened.
[quote][p][bold]r6keith[/bold] wrote: [quote][p][bold]L22Xxx[/bold] wrote: [quote][p][bold]AndyBSG[/bold] wrote: Tragic news but the report is a little unclear as to which vehicle was actually on the wrong side of the road. It says the 'car' was on the wrong side of the road and hit the 'van' but seeing as it doesn't say what the make of the VW was, only that the Ford was an estate, i'm assuming it was the Ford that was on the wrong side?[/p][/quote]Dont think your comment is really appropriate to this article it none of yours or anyones business how it happened and who fault it is[/p][/quote]Andy. Take what L22Xxx has written onboard.[/p][/quote]Err, no. I still fail to see any reason why it is inappropriate to expect a news story on a car accident to contain details of how the accident happened. AndyBSG

1:15pm Tue 4 Sep 12

JuliaM says...

AndyBSG wrote:
Tragic news but the report is a little unclear as to which vehicle was actually on the wrong side of the road. It says the 'car' was on the wrong side of the road and hit the 'van' but seeing as it doesn't say what the make of the VW was, only that the Ford was an estate, i'm assuming it was the Ford that was on the wrong side?
Andy, if you google 'A303 Ilminster Bypass' in 'News' you'll see that it was stated in 'This Is Somerset' and the BBC that the car crossed the central reservation and hit the van. There's even a photo at the scene.

And I can't see what's offensive about your comment at all.
[quote][p][bold]AndyBSG[/bold] wrote: Tragic news but the report is a little unclear as to which vehicle was actually on the wrong side of the road. It says the 'car' was on the wrong side of the road and hit the 'van' but seeing as it doesn't say what the make of the VW was, only that the Ford was an estate, i'm assuming it was the Ford that was on the wrong side?[/p][/quote]Andy, if you google 'A303 Ilminster Bypass' in 'News' you'll see that it was stated in 'This Is Somerset' and the BBC that the car crossed the central reservation and hit the van. There's even a photo at the scene. And I can't see what's offensive about your comment at all. JuliaM

1:36pm Tue 4 Sep 12

AndyBSG says...

JuliaM wrote:
AndyBSG wrote:
Tragic news but the report is a little unclear as to which vehicle was actually on the wrong side of the road. It says the 'car' was on the wrong side of the road and hit the 'van' but seeing as it doesn't say what the make of the VW was, only that the Ford was an estate, i'm assuming it was the Ford that was on the wrong side?
Andy, if you google 'A303 Ilminster Bypass' in 'News' you'll see that it was stated in 'This Is Somerset' and the BBC that the car crossed the central reservation and hit the van. There's even a photo at the scene.

And I can't see what's offensive about your comment at all.
Thank you for that Julia, the picture certainly does shed a lot more light on how it ended in two fatalities
[quote][p][bold]JuliaM[/bold] wrote: [quote][p][bold]AndyBSG[/bold] wrote: Tragic news but the report is a little unclear as to which vehicle was actually on the wrong side of the road. It says the 'car' was on the wrong side of the road and hit the 'van' but seeing as it doesn't say what the make of the VW was, only that the Ford was an estate, i'm assuming it was the Ford that was on the wrong side?[/p][/quote]Andy, if you google 'A303 Ilminster Bypass' in 'News' you'll see that it was stated in 'This Is Somerset' and the BBC that the car crossed the central reservation and hit the van. There's even a photo at the scene. And I can't see what's offensive about your comment at all.[/p][/quote]Thank you for that Julia, the picture certainly does shed a lot more light on how it ended in two fatalities AndyBSG

1:37pm Tue 4 Sep 12

maxell says...

Sad news to hear condolences to family the people killed were friends of my extended family. They were going down to meet up with a family member.
Sad news to hear condolences to family the people killed were friends of my extended family. They were going down to meet up with a family member. maxell

4:04pm Tue 4 Sep 12

grumble guts says...

at the end of the day it does not matter who is to blame two beautiful people have died and Michelle's little dog who Michelle thought the world of I only met Michelle a few times she was a lovely person
at the end of the day it does not matter who is to blame two beautiful people have died and Michelle's little dog who Michelle thought the world of I only met Michelle a few times she was a lovely person grumble guts

5:13pm Tue 4 Sep 12

whataday says...

R.i.P
R.i.P whataday

5:40pm Tue 4 Sep 12

John T Pharro says...

AndyBSG wrote:
JuliaM wrote:
AndyBSG wrote:
Tragic news but the report is a little unclear as to which vehicle was actually on the wrong side of the road. It says the 'car' was on the wrong side of the road and hit the 'van' but seeing as it doesn't say what the make of the VW was, only that the Ford was an estate, i'm assuming it was the Ford that was on the wrong side?
Andy, if you google 'A303 Ilminster Bypass' in 'News' you'll see that it was stated in 'This Is Somerset' and the BBC that the car crossed the central reservation and hit the van. There's even a photo at the scene.

And I can't see what's offensive about your comment at all.
Thank you for that Julia, the picture certainly does shed a lot more light on how it ended in two fatalities
And let us not forget there is a another person taken to hospital with serious injuries.
[quote][p][bold]AndyBSG[/bold] wrote: [quote][p][bold]JuliaM[/bold] wrote: [quote][p][bold]AndyBSG[/bold] wrote: Tragic news but the report is a little unclear as to which vehicle was actually on the wrong side of the road. It says the 'car' was on the wrong side of the road and hit the 'van' but seeing as it doesn't say what the make of the VW was, only that the Ford was an estate, i'm assuming it was the Ford that was on the wrong side?[/p][/quote]Andy, if you google 'A303 Ilminster Bypass' in 'News' you'll see that it was stated in 'This Is Somerset' and the BBC that the car crossed the central reservation and hit the van. There's even a photo at the scene. And I can't see what's offensive about your comment at all.[/p][/quote]Thank you for that Julia, the picture certainly does shed a lot more light on how it ended in two fatalities[/p][/quote]And let us not forget there is a another person taken to hospital with serious injuries. John T Pharro

6:08pm Tue 4 Sep 12

MizzDowning says...

RIP Nanny Bubbles, I'm absolutely devastated & still in shock of what's happened & dont want to believe it. You was a loving caring woman who was taken away from us to soon! You was always there for me when I was ill or needed someone to talk to. I'm in bits about it but I no that your in a better place now along with your pride & joy Bertie biggles. My thoughts go out to Paul's family, he was a lovely man, I've never seen my nan so happy the past few months. It's such a shame. I will love & cherish my happy thoughts with you forever. You was one in a million & will be missed dearly. Love your granddaughter Kirsty xXx
RIP Nanny Bubbles, I'm absolutely devastated & still in shock of what's happened & dont want to believe it. You was a loving caring woman who was taken away from us to soon! You was always there for me when I was ill or needed someone to talk to. I'm in bits about it but I no that your in a better place now along with your pride & joy Bertie biggles. My thoughts go out to Paul's family, he was a lovely man, I've never seen my nan so happy the past few months. It's such a shame. I will love & cherish my happy thoughts with you forever. You was one in a million & will be missed dearly. Love your granddaughter Kirsty xXx MizzDowning

6:54pm Tue 4 Sep 12

L22Xxx says...

JuliaM wrote:
AndyBSG wrote:
Tragic news but the report is a little unclear as to which vehicle was actually on the wrong side of the road. It says the 'car' was on the wrong side of the road and hit the 'van' but seeing as it doesn't say what the make of the VW was, only that the Ford was an estate, i'm assuming it was the Ford that was on the wrong side?
Andy, if you google 'A303 Ilminster Bypass' in 'News' you'll see that it was stated in 'This Is Somerset' and the BBC that the car crossed the central reservation and hit the van. There's even a photo at the scene.

And I can't see what's offensive about your comment at all.
Never said was offensive just not appropriate!!! I knew one of these people
Involved and to read how people want to know the ins and out of it all
Is beyond me...Its a very tragic accident and has effected many people so to read that people want to know what happened I don't understand as it clearly no ones business!!!
[quote][p][bold]JuliaM[/bold] wrote: [quote][p][bold]AndyBSG[/bold] wrote: Tragic news but the report is a little unclear as to which vehicle was actually on the wrong side of the road. It says the 'car' was on the wrong side of the road and hit the 'van' but seeing as it doesn't say what the make of the VW was, only that the Ford was an estate, i'm assuming it was the Ford that was on the wrong side?[/p][/quote]Andy, if you google 'A303 Ilminster Bypass' in 'News' you'll see that it was stated in 'This Is Somerset' and the BBC that the car crossed the central reservation and hit the van. There's even a photo at the scene. And I can't see what's offensive about your comment at all.[/p][/quote]Never said was offensive just not appropriate!!! I knew one of these people Involved and to read how people want to know the ins and out of it all Is beyond me...Its a very tragic accident and has effected many people so to read that people want to know what happened I don't understand as it clearly no ones business!!! L22Xxx

11:37am Wed 5 Sep 12

Dimpy1 says...

We are very saddened by the death of this couple when we moved onto kings park just over a year ago michelle always had a smile and a cheery good morning as we passed each day we shall so miss her .
May you both and youre little dog rest in peace xx
We are very saddened by the death of this couple when we moved onto kings park just over a year ago michelle always had a smile and a cheery good morning as we passed each day we shall so miss her . May you both and youre little dog rest in peace xx Dimpy1

2:56pm Wed 5 Sep 12

nige christinel and bipo says...

Nigel,Chrsitine,Bipo

We are so saddened by the tragic news of Michelle, Paul ,and Bertie
They were a lovely couple and bertie was a real character and Bipo's
first fur freind when we moved onto king park last year,
we will miss them all so much, rest in peace you will all be together
forever
Nigel,Chrsitine,Bipo We are so saddened by the tragic news of Michelle, Paul ,and Bertie They were a lovely couple and bertie was a real character and Bipo's first fur freind when we moved onto king park last year, we will miss them all so much, rest in peace you will all be together forever nige christinel and bipo

10:13am Thu 6 Sep 12

Boy_Racer21 says...

How the hell did this happen? I suppose the driver fell asleep or was on his phone.
How the hell did this happen? I suppose the driver fell asleep or was on his phone. Boy_Racer21

1:33pm Thu 6 Sep 12

AndyBSG says...

Boy_Racer21 wrote:
How the hell did this happen? I suppose the driver fell asleep or was on his phone.
If you look at the photo's its easy to see how it could happen.

The road is three lanes wide, single lane in one direction but the other direction has an overtaking lane.

The lanes don't have any physical separation with only a solid line road marking showing the separation.

I could imagine that at night or in poor visibility it would be a simple mistake for someone who doesn't know the road to go into the other lane without realising it's actually for oncoming traffic.
[quote][p][bold]Boy_Racer21[/bold] wrote: How the hell did this happen? I suppose the driver fell asleep or was on his phone.[/p][/quote]If you look at the photo's its easy to see how it could happen. The road is three lanes wide, single lane in one direction but the other direction has an overtaking lane. The lanes don't have any physical separation with only a solid line road marking showing the separation. I could imagine that at night or in poor visibility it would be a simple mistake for someone who doesn't know the road to go into the other lane without realising it's actually for oncoming traffic. AndyBSG

11:10am Mon 10 Sep 12

John T Pharro says...

You are absolutely right about this road. I have had to use it this last weekend and this section of road where the dreadful accident happened is by far the most dangerous road you could imagine. First one side has two lanes then the other. It desperately needs either duelling or having a 50mph average speed cameras put in place.
I realise I don't know what happened here and I am not trying to blame anyone, but anybody who is familiar with this section of road will know exactly what I am talking about.
You are absolutely right about this road. I have had to use it this last weekend and this section of road where the dreadful accident happened is by far the most dangerous road you could imagine. First one side has two lanes then the other. It desperately needs either duelling or having a 50mph average speed cameras put in place. I realise I don't know what happened here and I am not trying to blame anyone, but anybody who is familiar with this section of road will know exactly what I am talking about. John T Pharro

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