Driver dies while being towed by AA

A driver died in a freak crash when his car suddenly veered off the road while being towed by an AA van, broke free and then crashed into another vehicle.
The 48-year-old motorist was rushed to hospital after suffering cardiac arrest following the collision in Croydon, south London.
Paramedics battled to resuscitate him as he was taken to St George's Hospital, in Tooting, by ambulance but he later died.

Accident scene: The driver of the black Vauxhall Zafira died after it broke free from the AA van which was towing it in a freak accident in Croydon, south London

It is believed the victim, from Croydon, who was driving a black Vauxhall Zafira, had called out the AA after breaking down on his way to work.
His vehicle suddenly veered off to one side as it was travelling down a straight section of road. It then hit a bank and became detached from the AA tow truck before crashing into a second car.
Police are investigating exactly what caused the freak accident.
A man travelling in the second car suffered chest injuries and was taken to Croydon University Hospital.

 

Mother-of-two Naz Dagnell told the Evening Standard: 'It was like a big thunder crash.Then I heard the sirens going up the road and saw the air ambulance. I was absolutely shocked when I heard what had happened.
'It’s really sad to hear of something like this happening so close to your doorstep. There have been some quite serious accidents on that stretch of road where they have had to cut people out of vehicles.'
A London Ambulance Service spokeswoman said it had sent two ambulances, an air ambulance, a single responder in a car and duty manager to the scene of the crash.

Wreckage: The driver of the Vauxhall Zafira suffered a heart attack at the wheel and was pronounced dead shortly after arriving at hospital

Probe: Police cordoned off the road in south Croydon, London, while an investigation got underway following the crash on Tuesday morning

A spokesman for the Metropolitan Police said: 'At this early stage it appears the victim was in a black Vauxhall Zafira which was being towed by a recovery vehicle on a rigid bar.
'The car being towed then appeared to swerve before colliding with a bank at the side of the road and breaking free from the towing vehicle.
'A second vehicle was subsequently in collision with the Vauxhall. The driver was treated for minor injuries.'
The accident happened just after 9am on Tuesday. The man died in hospital two hours later.
A post-mortem examination was due to take place today to establish the cause of death.
A spokesman for the AA said: 'Following the tragic incident involving an AA member in the Croydon area on Tuesday, 1 October, our thoughts are with the families and friends of those involved.
'The incident is under investigation so we are unable to comment further.'

Accident: The driver was being towed when his car broke free and crashed into a second vehicle