New driver fined after BMW crashes into Tidworth gas mains

Summarised from 4 outlets · 5 reports · Updated 5 Nov, 14:06 · Archive

A 21-year-old driver who had been behind the wheel for three weeks crashed his BMW into a mains gas supply in Tidworth on August 6, causing evacuations and leaving residents without gas for a week.

Albert Kweku-Duah, 21, of South Marston, Swindon, crashed his blue BMW 116i into a mains gas supply on Station Road in Tidworth on the evening of 6 August. He had been driving for just three weeks. The collision caused a substantial leak in the gas supply. Emergency services declared a major incident in response. Residents living nearby were evacuated from their homes overnight while the scene was made safe. Some residents were left without gas for a week following the crash.

Kweku-Duah was arrested at the scene and charged with careless driving and driving without insurance. He appeared at Salisbury Magistrates' Court on Friday, 30 October, where he pleaded guilty to both offences.

For careless driving, Kweku-Duah was fined £511 and ordered to pay a surcharge of £204. His driving record was endorsed with five penalty points.

PC Nicola Blake said: 'Kweku-Duah had only been driving for three weeks when he crashed his vehicle, causing significant disruption to residents nearby, some of whom were without gas for a week. His careless driving impacted a number of people and required attendance from all emergency services. It is fortunate that nobody was injured as a result of his actions.'

The case relating to the offence of driving without insurance was adjourned for special reasons. Kweku-Duah is due to appear again at Salisbury Magistrates' Court on 30 March 2028.

How it is being reported

• ‘Significant disruption’: new driver caused major gas leak after BMW crashPolice said some residents were left without gas for a week after a BMW crashed into the mains supply on Station Road in Tidworth.Salisbury Journal · 5 Nov, 13:41
• New driver sparked evacuation after crashing BMW 1 series into gas mainsTidworth driver fined for careless driving after BMW hit a mains gas supply on August 6, triggering evacuations and leaving residents without gas for a week.Gazette & Herald · 5 Nov, 13:38
• New driver sparked evacuation after crashing BMW 1 series into gas mainsTidworth driver fined for careless driving after BMW hit a mains gas supply on August 6, triggering evacuations and leaving residents without gas for a week.Swindon Advertiser · 5 Nov, 13:38
• New driver sparked evacuation after crashing BMW 1 series into gas mainsTidworth driver fined for careless driving after BMW hit a mains gas supply on August 6, triggering evacuations and leaving residents without gas for a week.Wiltshire Times · 5 Nov, 13:38
• New driver caused major incident after crashing BMW into gas supplyTidworth driver fined for careless driving after BMW hit a mains gas supply on August 6, triggering evacuations and leaving residents without gas for a week.Salisbury Journal · 5 Nov, 11:52

In this story: Albert Kweku-Duah · Tidworth · Station Road · South Marston · Swindon · Salisbury Magistrates' Court

This summary was written by AI from the headlines and standfirsts above, and states as fact only what at least two outlets report. How we use AI · Report a problem · Corrections log