Follow PHTM
Posted on the 10th December 2024 in PHTM News
LIVERPOOL CABBIE'S LIVELIHOOD CRUSHED BY FALLEN TREE AS COLLEAGUES RALLY FOR SUPPORT
Huyton father-of-two, Gary Gregory, 40, faces a bleak Christmas after a tree fell on his taxi during Storm Darragh.
The incident occurred on Saturday, 7 December, just ten minutes after returning home from an airport pickup, Gregory heard a loud bang and rushed outside to find the tree sprawled across his taxi on Cromford Road.
Images depict the devastating damage caused by the tree. The roof of the taxi caved in under the weight, and the back window shattered.
"We're absolutely distraught," Gregory said. "Two weeks before Christmas, and this is my only source of income. I was about to head out for another shift when I heard the crash and saw the tree on top of my car.
"I don't know when I will be back on the road now. I can't believe this happened."
In a display of heartwarming solidarity, Gregory's fellow Liverpool taxi drivers have launched a fundraising effort to get him back on the road before Christmas.
"We're trying to help him out because insurance might not cover everything," explained Gary Culshaw, 39, a fellow taxi driver from Fazakerley.
"We're raising money to get him back on the road so he can support his family. With the cost of living crisis, things are already tough, and being unable to work would be a disaster for him.
"He's worried about providing for his children, and that's what inspired us to help."
Culshaw continued: "We understand everyone's struggling right now, but any contribution you can make will go a long way.
"Let's help Gary get back on his feet and ensure his family has a happy Christmas."
Donations can be made through the GoFundMe page set up for Gary: https://shorturl.at/q1s2T
Read another story
- NORWICH CABBIE BANNED AFTER LAPSE IN CONCENTRATION CAUSES SERIOUS MOPED CRASH
A 61-year-old Norwich cabbie has been banned from driving after seriously injuring a moped rider in a crash, effectively ending his 40-year career.
- HENLEY REGATTA PRIVATE HIRE DRIVER TO PAY OVER £2,000 FOR ILLEGAL RIDES
Muhammad Naeem of High Wycombe was convicted in his absence at Oxfordshire Magistrates' Court on 13 December, after failing to appear.
- TAXI DRIVER ARRESTED FOR FAILING CANNABIS TEST DURING COUNTY DURHAM SAFETY CHECKS
The operation, a joint effort between Durham County Council, police, and the DVSA, saw 57 licensed vehicles stopped across Durham City, Darlington, Consett, and Chester-le-Street.
- STANSTED AIRPORT TO INTRODUCE BARRIER FREE DROP OFFS WITH ANPR TECHNOLOGY
This new technology, mirroring the successful implementation at the Dartford Crossing, will allow drivers to seamlessly pass through the Express Set Down (ESD) area without the need to stop and pay at a barrier.
- COMMUNITY SERVICE FOR HIGHLY REGARDED LAWYER WHO ASSAULTED JERSEY TAXI DRIVER
David Samuel Steenson pleaded guilty to common assault in the Magistrate's Court, admitting to punching the driver, who sustained multiple cuts and bruises to his face.
- POLICE AND COUNCIL CRACKDOWN ON ROGUE TAXIS OVER CHRISTMAS IN WREXHAM
Wrexham residents are being warned to be vigilant against unlicensed taxis operating during the festive season, as police and council officials launch a joint crackdown.
- EAST SUFFOLK TAXI DRIVER ACQUITTED OF ASSAULTING 80 YEAR OLD MAN IN ROAD RAGE INCIDENT
Nikolaos Boutelis, 61, faced charges of causing actual bodily harm stemming from an incident on March 25, 2022, in Reydon.
- 12 MONTHS JAIL FOR ST HELENS THUG WHO KICKED CABBIE AND THREATENED HIM WITH ACID ATTACK
Calvin Elliott, 31, from Rainhill, verbally abused and assaulted Ahmed Shebaz after the driver asked him to leave his drinks outside the vehicle.
- ANOTHER MAN ARRESTED ON SUSPICION OF THE MURDER OF A NOTTINGHAM CABBIE 30 YEARS AGO
Ethsham Ul-Haq Ghafoor, 26, known to his friends and family as Shami, was shot dead in his taxi on Tuesday 22 November 1994.
- NORTH YORKSHIRE TAXI DRIVERS FEAR NEW RULES COULD DRIVE THEM OUT OF BUSINESS
North Yorkshire Council is revising its hackney carriage policies to increase the availability of wheelchair-accessible vehicles (WAVs) and comply with equality legislation.
- DERBY PRIVATE HIRE DRIVERS FURIOUS OVER UNFAIR BUS LANE RESTRICTION
The drivers argue that the bus gate restriction on Corporation Street is causing them to lose customers and get stuck in unnecessary queues.
- ONE DRIVER SUSPENDED AND OTHERS WARNED FOLLOWING TAXI SPOT CHECKS IN NE LINCS
38 drivers were checked, alongside the condition of their vehicle, as well as their licence, insurance, tyres, lights and vehicle tax.
- BEDFORD COUNCIL APPROVES SIGNIFICANT RISE IN TAXI AND PRIVATE HIRE VEHICLE LICENCE FEES
Despite expressing reluctance, Bedford Borough Council's General Licensing Committee has approved a significant increase in fees for taxi and private hire vehicle licences, effective March 2025.
- MID SUSSEX TAXI DRIVERS TO ACCEPT CARD PAYMENTS FOLLOWING COUNCIL DECISION
The decision comes after an eight-week public consultation and aims to address concerns raised by residents regarding the safety and convenience of cash-only transactions.
- DAWLISH TAXI FIRM OWNERS NAMED BY TEIGNBRIDGE DISTRICT COUNCIL AFTER LOSING LICENCES
Michael Miller and Grace Miller, of Grab A Cab, lost their hackney carriage proprietor and driver licences following a series of complaints alleging aggressive and abusive behaviour, threats and intimidation.
- £1.6M ASSET REFINANCE DEAL DRIVES GROWTH OF LEADING LONDON EV COMPANY - SHERBET
A leading eco-friendly electric taxi company based in central London is driving forward with its ambitious growth plans and opening a new local community hub, after securing a £1.6m asset refinance deal.
- ARGYLL AND BUTE CONSIDERS TAXI FARE HIKE DESPITE LOW OPERATOR RESPONSE
Only eight out of 101 taxi operators across the region responded to the council's consultation on potential fare increases, which ran from October 24 to December 2.
- UNLICENSED KINGS LYNN PRIVATE HIRE DRIVER TO PAY OVER £2,000 FOLLOWING UNDERCOVER STING
Kevin Turner was caught transporting undercover council officers on two separate occasions after they booked journeys with him.
- CRAWLEY COUNCIL SEEKS LEGAL ACTION AGAINST UBER OVER GATWICK AIRPORT BUSINESS
Drivers claim that Uber cars registered in London are taking a significant portion of airport business, impacting their livelihoods.
- GOVERNMENT ISSUES ENGLISH DEVOLUTION WHITE PAPER
Taxis and private hire vehicles are an important part of our transport networks and some of the most vulnerable groups in our society rely on them.
