A TAXI driver left seriously injured and unable to work after he was hit by a car while helping out another motorist has thanked those who came to his aid.

Robin Gill, 67, of Burnham Road, Althorne, had stopped to help another driver on the B1010 near Tinkers Hole in Burnham on October 29.

Despite both cars having hazard lights on, a white van ploughed into the back of the other car, which then hit Mr Gill.

Mr Gill, who works for Gemini Taxis, was rushed to Broomfield Hospital with broken ribs, a collapsed lung and broken collar bone.

He also suffered severe damage to the tendons and ligaments to his knee and was left unable to work.

Mr Gill said: “I was driving a taxi and taking some people back to Burnham and I saw a car parked at the side of the road. It was on the Burnham Bends and it was stationary with its hazard lights on.

“The van went into the back of the car and knocked me into the road.

“When I woke up I couldn’t move and I could hardly breathe. I didn’t know how long I had been out for.”

Mr Gill spent five days in hospital recovering and is now undergoing extensive physiotherapy due to continued pain in his neck, shoulder and knee.

The accident left him unable to drive.

He said: “I didn’t have any work until last week. I have had to rely on my wife and savings.”

Mr Gill thanked all those who came to his aid after the accident.

He said: “I would like to say a belated thank you to my passengers and the other car driver, police and a special thank you to the paramedic and ambulance crew, and the A&E staff at Broomfield Hospital.”

Mr Gill added: “I am still in pain in my shoulder and neck and also my knee which is causing problems with my ankle. I still have to undergo physiotherapy and since the collision I have not been able to drive.”

After leaving hospital Mr Gill had to sit up straight in an arm chair for eight weeks. He had six weeks of anti-blood clot medication injections.

John Yeldham, 40, of Essex Road, Burnham, admitted driving without due care and attention when he collided with the two cars when he appeared at Chelmsford Magistrates’ Court on April 5.

He was handed four penalty points, fined £150, ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £20 and costs of £90.