A MAN involved in a serious head-on car crash that nearly killed a woman has been banned from driving.

The crash, on Whippingham Road, on January 7, left a 55-year-old woman with serious injuries, including broken vertebrae and other bones, lacerations and a loss of consciousness, Isle of Wight Magistrates' Court heard.

She was air lifted to Southampton Hospital by air ambulance, while the man, who suffered serious injuries himself, was taken to St Mary's Hospital by land ambulance.

The man, Samuel Paul Taylor, 26, of Station Avenue, Sandown, pleaded guilty to driving without due care and attention in that he drove on the wrong side of the road and caused a near fatal collision.

Neither he nor the woman, a midwife on her way home from work, could explain why their two cars collided.

In a statement from the woman read out in court, she said she had no recollection of the crash and the first thing she could remember was bright lights and a firefighter cutting her from her vehicle.

The court heard how the road was wet at the time of the incident and Taylor lost control of his car.

For Taylor, Keith Verrinder said his client had a child and worked as a mobile tyre fitter, so a driving ban would mean he would lose his job, which would have an impact on his family.

Mr Verrinder said Taylor was familiar with the road and did not believe he was driving too fast, and so could not explain why he lost control of the car, except perhaps because the road was slippery.

Giving evidence himself in court, Taylor said he was the only earner in his household and he had to pay rent. If he lost his job and could not pay, he, his partner and their child may be evicted.

He said he had never claimed benefits before so did not know what he would be able to get.

He said without a driving licence it would be very hard to find a job as he was trained as a mechanic and has always worked around vehicles.

Magistrates said, because of the severity of the crash, he would be banned from driving for six months.

They also ordered Taylor to pay a £300 fine and a £30 surcharge.

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