Odd roadrage incident

[RG]

Unfortunately for the lady in the end, still this is the strangest one I've heard of.
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/new...ffset=0&page=1

Originally Posted by www.timesonline.co.uk

It was the ultimate expression of road rage. A furious woman driver died after ramming another vehicle and spinning her wheels so fast that her own car burst into flames.

Serena Sutton-Smith, 54, burnt to death after refusing to get out of her Vauxhall Nova as she sat with her foot flat on the accelerator.

She spun the wheels so fast that her tyres disintegrated and the metal rims sent a shower of sparks into the engine, igniting the brake fluid and setting the car on fire.

Appalled onlookers urged her to get out of the car as the flames licked around her but she told them to “ off”, an inquest in Gloucester was told.

The road-rage attack took place on a quiet country road in the Cotswolds between Weston sub Edge and Mickleton in Gloucestershire.

The inquest heard that Paula Small was driving her Fiat Punto when Ms Sutton-Smith emerged from a side road without stopping, causing her to swerve to avoid a collision. Mrs Small was forced on the grass verge and she flashed her lights as Ms Sutton-Smith passed her.

Ms Sutton-Smith then pulled over and Mrs Small stopped a short way in front of her. She was getting out when the Vauxhall Nova rammed her car.

Mrs Small said: “I opened my door and put my foot out but as I was getting out there was a bang and I hit my head on the door frame. I was frozen with terror.” As neighbours came to investigate they saw Ms Sutton-Smith sitting with a furious expression, revving her engine and spinning her wheels.

Nicholas Willmore told the inquest that he was in his workshop at Cottage Farm Antiques when his mother alerted him to what was happening outside. As he walked across the road to the two cars he saw smoke coming from the engine of the Nova.

He said: “There was a deafening sound of an engine running as though someone had a foot stuck on the accelerator.

“The car’s front wheels were spinning and there was loads of revving. I could see a biggish person at the wheel and there was movement in the car. Flames were coming from underneath the car and I thought the person might be trapped inside although I couldn’t hear any shouting.

“I opened the driver’s door wide. It opened easily. The person looked at me, it was a big built woman. I said ’You’ve got to get out of the car. It’s going to burst into flames’.

“The person replied ’ off, just off’ and she raised her right fist towards me in a threatening manner before slamming the door shut.

“I was a bit bewildered and moved 3-4 yards back. I could see her gesturing towards me. She seemed to be in quite a rage. Both fists were raised and being shaken and the person was looking right at me.

“This was definitely done in a manner to tell me to stay away from her car.” Mr Willmore grabbed a fire extinguisher from his workshop but it failed to put out the flames. Another motorist also tried to extinguish the flames.

Mr Willmore added: “The heat was getting more and more intense and the flames were growing. I could no longer see inside. There was nothing that could be done to help the person inside.

“There was no attempt by the person to get out. In my opinion it was against all human instincts for someone to stay inside that car.” Ms Sutton-Smith was dead by the time fire fighters arrived to put out the blaze.

Fire officer Andrew Clayton said: “The circumstances indicate that this was a deliberate act. She remained in the vehicle after ramming a car and then sat with the front wheels spinning until fire developed.

“The front nearside passenger wheel gouged into the road surface by 50mm and the tyre was totally destroyed by the friction. This would have produced sparks igniting fluid, most probably brake fluid.” The inquest heard that Ms Sutton-Smith, who had previously worked behind the bar at a working men’s club in Ashton sub Edge, had a history of erratic behaviour and suffered from bipolar disorder.

Alan Crickmore, the Gloucestershire coroner, said that her mental condition meant that she failed to appreciate the danger she was in.

He said “At no time, prior to becoming incapicitated, was Serena trapped in her vehicle. She was certainly able to get out of it when Mr Willmore opened the door and invited her to do so.

“I am driven to the conclusion that if at any time she had wanted to do so before becoming incapacitated she could have got out of the car and would not have died as a result of the fire.

“I am satisfied the fire was started because of her deliberate actions. But I am far from satisfied that at that point in time it was her clear intention that death would ensue.

“I think it is more likely than not that she failed to understand the peril she was in and the consequences of her actions.” He recorded a verdict of accidental death.

Hope this isn't a repost, if it is I'll delete it lol.

[dave351cid]

hmmmm....bazar.

[schnoods]

Not happy Jan. :

Kinda think situations involving people like this, Karma oftens rears its head and makes things right.

[gcg2503]

Thanks Russell

I will keep this in mind when i drive through there next

Checklist:

1. Do not p*ss off any stocky built women in the Cotswolds.......

[RG]

lol, having not long returned form there it doesn't surprise me as much as I thought it would. Violence over there is seriously out of control.

[DJM83]

Few screws loose maybe? A very strange situation

[gcg2503]

Originally Posted by Russell

lol, having not long returned form there it doesn't surprise me as much as I thought it would. Violence over there is seriously out of control.

Violence on the streets is definitely higher over here , espeically knife crime among teenagers etc

However, having driven here for 3 years, there is hardly any road rage

A lot of "Christian Motoring" (Quote James May - Top Gear) here

Unlike Melbourne where road rage is prevalent and drivers are not courteous to fellow road users.

[Bossxr8]

Another reason why FWD sucks.

[Peuty]

That was one killer burnout she did!

[Windsor220]

Im surprised the engine lasted long enough to fry the tyres that bad. Must of been redlining it. I can see a few Vauxhall Novas at the next burnout comp.

[zigzagnt]

I hope my relatives over there can drive better than that.Honestly that is bizarre!.

[Spanrz]

If it was me, atleast I would have done a few snakeys before going out.!
(you can't catch me now......fine that ya bastards!!)

[DJM83]

Originally Posted by Peuty

That was one killer burnout she did!

[TUF_302]

Thats nuts!!! :

[GasoLane]

Too many cups of tea will do it to you every time!

[S3SR]

on a more serious note if she suffered from bipolar thats definently something tragic to happen to anybody whether they are mentally unwell or not

as much as we'd rather not get involved, even if they are mentally unwell its not up to us to decide they should die due to their actions, and she should have been forcibly removed from her burning car

[MITCHAY]

See folks, burnouts can kill. It could have all been prevented if they had of given her the pinky.

On a more serious note, I'm surprised the guy didn't rip the keys out of the ignition if he was concerned enough to open the door.

[gemibabe]

yeah I don't see why he didn't just pull her out of the car... I couldn't stand by and watch someone burn to death..ffs thats just horrible :(

[BlackLS]

I'd be angry too if I had to drive a Vauxhall Nova

[pauljh74]

Originally Posted by gemibabe

yeah I don't see why he didn't just pull her out of the car...

The guy offered help and he was threatened and she slammed the door shut. She had her chance and didn't take it - that's her problem. You can offer your hand in help, but the other person has to reach out and grab it.

This deserves a nomination for the Darwin Awards

[poolkeeper]

that would of been a burnout to see

[Fev]

What a nut! i hope the folks that were in the vicinity arnt too effected by it

[RG]

Originally Posted by Fev

What a nut! i hope the folks that were in the vicinity arnt too effected by it

Exactly, while it may be a terrible thing that happened to her it is the poor bystanders that I feel for. Imagine having to watch that and not be able to do anything about it.

[TadKa]

very strange. I wasn't there of course (being the other side of the worldand all) But I wouldnt think it would be hard to rip out the keys or drag an angry big girl out of a car. Christ how could you watch someone die. Even if it is their wish and they were fighting for it.

[RG]

Originally Posted by TadKa

very strange. I wasn't there of course (being the other side of the worldand all) But I wouldnt think it would be hard to rip out the keys or drag an angry big girl out of a car. Christ how could you watch someone die. Even if it is their wish and they were fighting for it.

Well if the door was locked it wouldn't be that easy, you have to think about your own safety too. Remember not everyone is a hero and there aren't many of us who know how to react in any emergency situation.

It is all well and good to say "I'd do this/that" but until you are in a situation it is nothing more than speculation and hoping that that is what you would do.

I've seen big burly guys break down in an emergency whereas small blokes just get on and do the job, and vice versa.

TadKa this is not aimed at you, more a generalisation.

[azaxr8]

Originally Posted by TadKa

very strange. I wasn't there of course (being the other side of the worldand all) But I wouldnt think it would be hard to rip out the keys or drag an angry big girl out of a car. Christ how could you watch someone die. Even if it is their wish and they were fighting for it.

Tadka, Funny how u say that. Every heard the saying Angry people are as strong as 10 men. Youll be suprised when those fists hit u straight in your face.

First rule of Help, Don't endanger yourself to save another life.

Saying that i also would of tried to get her out but trying to get her seatbelt off her and rip her out while shes punching me in the face and neck. i think not!

[TadKa]

yeah points taken. Would be hard to know what could have been done without being there. Personal safety first. And fire is rather hot.