Brit motorist is killed and his wife is seriously injured during vintage car rally after vehicle crashes off scenic road in Italy
A British man died and his wife was seriously injured when their vintage car overturned on a scenic road in the Chianti region of Italy, shortly after they had attended a classic car show. The 72-year-old driver lost control of their red convertible on the SR429 near Siena, causing it to spin off the road and flip onto its side; he was pronounced dead at the scene while his 73-year-old wife was airlifted to hospital. Italian police are investigating the exact cause of the crash, with local commentary pointing to the possibility that after-market tyres fitted to vintage cars for aesthetic reasons may have played a role.
The crash occurred at around 1pm last Friday as the couple travelled from Poggibonsi towards Castellina, roughly 1.4km along the road, with the vehicle suffering extensive damage. The wife was taken to Siena's Le Scotte Hospital under "code red" emergency status. The stretch of road has a history of collisions, including a separate three-car crash days earlier that left a 38-year-old man with minor injuries, and comes months after three teenagers died in a drink-driving crash near Milan in June.
In short
- British man, 72, dies in vintage car crash near Siena, Italy
- Wife, 73, airlifted to hospital with serious injuries
- Cause under investigation; road has history of crashes
Explained simply
Vintage car rallies and shows bring together owners of older vehicles, which may be restored or modified before taking to public roads. The Chianti area of Tuscany is known for its countryside and scenic routes, which are also used by everyday traffic.
Police are investigating the crash, including whether the car’s condition or its tyres contributed. Older cars can have different handling and safety features from modern vehicles, while replacement parts may vary.
The investigation will establish what happened in this case. More broadly, road collisions can involve several factors, including the vehicle, the road and the conditions at the time.