Impounded truck delay leaves haulier on brink
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• Owner-driver Bob Elder flies to Sicily this weekend to fetch his truck held by police since a fatal accident 14 weeks ago.
Elder, of Stanley, Co Durham, was told last week that he faces no charges following the death of an 85-year-old woman, knocked down by his MAN artic (CM 5-11 March). His vehicle
had been impounded pending an investigation.
But Elder faces a struggle to stay in business. Although he plans to return with a load for Britain next week he will not receive any payment until July.
"I'm skint," Elder told Commercial Motor this week. "I've spent all my savings. The telephone bill alone from calling Italy is astronomical."
However, one bright note for Elder is that his insurance company, Norwich Union, says it will pay his £1,200 legal and truck storage fees.
Elder is critical of his Italian solicitor and the British consulate in Palermo — he only learnt that his truck had been released last Thursday after ringing the consulate. "Most of the information I've had to find out myself," he says.