Prince Philip car crash: Apology to crash victim - NEWS.com.au

Prince Philip has finally apologised to the mum injured in his crash and admitted he did not see her car in the “low sun”.

The “shaken” Duke told Emma Fairweather he was “deeply sorry” and wished her a speedy recovery in a letter sent four days after the smash, reports The Sun.

In the signed note, Philip, 97, said he may have failed to see her car because of the bright conditions near the Sandringham Estate that day.

He said he was sorry to hear that Emma had suffered a broken arm and expressed his relief that no one was seriously injured in the crash on January 17.

“I would like you to know how very sorry I am for my part in the accident at the Babingley crossroads,” the letter reads, according to the Sunday Mirror.

“I have been across that crossing any number of times and I know very well the amount of traffic that uses that main road.

“It was a bright sunny day and at about three in the afternoon, the sun was low over the Wash.

“In other words, the sun was shining low over the main road.”

“In normal conditions I would have no difficulty in seeing traffic coming from the Dersingham direction, but I can only imagine that I failed to see the car coming, and I am very contrite about the consequences.”

READ MORE: HOW CAR CRASH IGNITED PR CRISIS

Prince Philip revealed he was “shaken” after his Land Rover overturned when it collided with a Kia carrying Emma, her friend Ellie Townsend, 28, and Ellie’s nine-month-old son.

“I was somewhat shaken after the accident, but I was greatly relieved that none of you were seriously injured,” he wrote.

“As a crowd was beginning to gather, I was advised to return to Sandringham House by a local Police Officer. I have since learned that you suffered a broken arm. I am deeply sorry about this injury.

“I wish you a speedy recovery from a very distressing experience.”

After receiving the letter, Emma told the Sunday Mirror she was “chuffed”.

“I thought it was really nice that he signed off as ‘Philip’ and not the formal title. I was pleasantly surprised because of the personalised nature,” she said.

“A lot of people said it was unrealistic that I wanted that human kindness from Prince Philip — which is what I saw this letter as.”

The mum-of-two previously vented her frustration that she had not received a personal apology from the Duke for his role in the horror smash.

It was also reported that she came under intense pressure to “keep quiet” after the crash.

Emma had claimed the only message she got was from a police family liaison officer — and it “didn’t even make sense”.

Emma said the officer told her: “The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh would like to be remembered to you.”

She said: “That’s not an apology or even a well-wish.”

Philip yelled “My legs!” as he was pulled from the wreckage of his overturned Land Rover in Norfolk.

The Duke of Edinburgh, 97, was trapped after the vehicle he was driving collided with a Kia carrying two women and a baby.

Witness Roy Warne, 75, said of the smash near Sandringham, Norfolk: “It was frightening to see.”

Mr Warne also told how Prince Philip said he was “dazzled by the sun” at a T-junction before his Land Rover hit another car carrying a mother and baby.

He said The Duke of Edinburgh was pulled from the wreckage “conscious” but “very, very shocked and shaken”.

Prince Philip was breathalysed by police following the horrific smash.

Barrister Roy, 75, who was first at the scene, helped to free the “disorientated” royal from his motor, which had overturned.

He heard the Duke later admit to cops he had been “dazzled by the sun”.

Roy was driving home with his wife Victoria, 72, shortly before 3pm and saw the Land Rover flip a split-second after the collision.

Prince Philip was trapped inside and told rescuers: “My legs! Where should I put my legs?”

But he was not thought to have suffered any serious injuries — and was at the Queen’s side, resting at their Sandringham estate.

Philip will be monitored by doctors in the coming days as they look for signs of internal injuries.

Roy said: “I saw the car flip and thought f*****g hell.

“Before I even stopped I said to Victoria, dial 999.”

Roy helped Philip out of his overturned Land Rover.

He said: “I looked down and had the Prince’s blood on my hands.

“All I could think is, thank goodness there wasn’t more.”

Another witness told The Daily Telegraph Philip seemed “distraught” and it was a “miracle” he escaped uninjured.

It is believed the Land Rover drove out from a T-junction on Queen Elizabeth Way and was struck by a Kia people carrier with two women and a ten-month-old screaming baby inside.

The driver of the blue Kia told Victoria: “That could have been a disaster.”

Roy said the Land Rover “came across the A149 like a somersault. It was turning on its side over and over”. He added: “It was frightening to see a powerful car rolling like that.

“I rushed to the other car — there was smoke coming out as if it may explode. There was a baby in the back seat screaming.

“Once myself and another chap had managed to pull the baby out, I went to the overturned car.

“There was one elderly person inside and I tugged at the smashed windscreen and sunroof to try and get the driver out.

“He was lying on his side and his legs were down in the well of the car. I asked him to lift his left leg as his legs were trapped, and he said ‘Where to?’

“I suddenly realised it was Prince Philip.

“As he lifted his left leg, there was room for his right leg to move.

“I reached into the car, put my hands under his armpits and gently eased him out.

“He stood up and was unharmed but was obviously very shocked.

“He was disorientated and humbled. I believe he was very sorry about what had happened. The sun was very low in the sky. Considering his age he got off much better than the people in the other car.”

Prince Philip retired from public life in August 2017 after decades supporting the Queen and attending events for his own charities and organisations.

Despite undergoing a hip replacement last year he has continued driving.

Prince Charles had previously told of his concern about his dad’s getting behind the wheel.

In June 2014 the Prince of Wales told a D-Day veteran’s son he was worried about the fact the Duke was still driving a car.

The Palace calculated he had completed 22,219 solo engagements since 1952.

Since retiring from official solo duties, he has appeared in public alongside the Queen and other members of the Royal Family at events.

But he did not attend the Royal Family’s Christmas Day service at Sandringham this year.

The prang will spark fresh debate over the whether there should be a driving age limit.

This article originally appeared on The Sun and was reproduced with permission.

Let's block ads! (Why?)