Driving ban for pensioner who crashed into Colin Montgomerie

The Ryder Cup hero was driving his 70,000 BMW 750 when he was involved in a collision with 74-year-old William Fleming's van.

Montgomerie was trapped in his car and had to be pulled to safety by other drivers after the smash on the A80 at Mollinsburn, Lanarkshire, on 21 October last year.

Fleming, of Twechar, Lanarkshire, was banned from driving for two years at Airdrie Sheriff Court yesterday after admitting a charge of dangerous driving.

Depute fiscal Wendy McAdam told the court how Fleming was observing the 40mph speed limit but drove his van on the wrong side of the road.

This caused him to collide with two cars, including Montgomerie's, and crash into traffic cones dividing the carrriageways.

Ms McAdam said: "Roadworks were in force on the A80 and a contraflow system was in place.

"Initially the accused was driving on the northbound lane, but thereafter moved through the cones and onto the southbound lane.

"The traffic coming towards him had to take evasive action to avoid him but they were unable to do so and the vehicles collided.

"Another two vehicles were involved in the collision, with two other vehicles moving into other lanes.

"Fortunately no-one was injured, but there was extensive damage to all the vehicles involved.

"When charged by the police, the accused replied: 'I don't know how I have done it'."

Defence lawyer Paul Belardo said Fleming, a handyman, wanted to apologise to all involved in the crash.

Sheriff John Morris QC banned Fleming from driving for two years and ordered him to resit his driving test. The pensioner was also fined 400.

Speaking outside court, Fleming said: "I only realised who it was involved after the crash happened. He had got out of the car before I got to him."

The accident happened at around 11:25am as Montgomerie was driving to visit his father James in Ayrshire.

The 47-year-old was treated for minor injuries by an ambulance crew at the roadside.

He was later taken back to his home in Perthshire and had to pull out of a charity walk in Inverness the following day in aid of the Elizabeth Montgomerie Foundation, which he set up in memory of his mother, who died of lung cancer.

Speaking after the crash, Montgomerie said: "I was trapped as the side of the car was compressed and the airbags forced me back, but the passenger door suddenly opened and I was pulled to safety thanks to other drivers who had witnessed the accident."