A COASTGUARD crew member's careless driving preceded a three-car crash in Arreton.

Johnathan Paul Driver, of Horestone Drive, Seaview, appeared before the Isle of Wight Magistrates' Court yesterday (Tuesday).

The 51-year-old admitted driving a motor vehicle without due care or attention.

Prosecutor, Liz Miller, said police had been called to a collision near The Hare and Hounds on August 30, 2020.

She said multiple emergency vehicles were on scene, where three damaged vehicles were blocking the road.

Among those involved, one driver was found trapped in their car and a husband and wife were described as "walking wounded".

Ms Miller said Driver had been driving a marked coastguard vehicle and responding to an emergency call. On hearing the casualty was in a critical condition, Driver turned his blue lights on and increased speed.

Ms Miller said he overtook a Ford Fiesta on approach to a corner and pulled in at the last minute.

Another car behind him followed, and went head-on into an oncoming vehicle.

Ms Miller said Driver had not been responsible for the crash, and no injuries were caused by him, but what he did constituted aggressive driving.

Cliff Morris, defending, said Driver was a part-time coastguard crew member who had been volunteering for 13 years.

Mr Morris said Driver had kept to the 60mph speed limit, and waited for a straight section of approximately 200m to 300m before overtaking the Ford Fiesta, which was travelling at around 40mph and had not pulled over.

Driver immediately stopped his vehicle following the crash and responded to those injured, making the necessary emergency calls.

Mr Morris said Driver was greatly affected by the incident, and accepted he had no special exception to the highway code.

He said he saw a clear stretch of road and completed the manoeuvre, but accepted his driving was aggressive.

The presiding magistrate told Driver it was a sad day to see someone like him in such a situation, but his decisions and judgement had fallen short.

Driver was fined £243, and ordered to pay costs of £85 and £34 surcharge.

His licence was endorsed by five penalty points.