Man seriously hurt in Paignton car park

One arrested

A man who fell from a vehicle in a Paignton car park has serious head injuries - in an incident in which another man has been arrested on suspicion of causing injury by dangerous driving.

The casualty, in his thirties, was hurt at Broadsands car par around 10.20am on Friday 14 May.

Nearby residents have reported noise from revving engines and cars being driven dangerously in the car park which has been used for several years by gatherings of motorists.

Officers have warned a number of drivers that they face their vehicles being seized if they are again found driving carelessly or off a road and causing alarm, distress or annoyance to people.

The warning under Section 59/60 of the Police Reform Act 2002 lasts for 12 months and if a car is seized it has to be collected and the costs paid or it will be disposed of.

Police say the car park entrance is monitored by CCTV and drivers without a licence or insurance will be prosecuted and their vehicles could be seized. They will patrol the area throughout the summer and take action against anti-social drivers.

A statement from the local police published on social media said: “As we approach summer, the reports of nuisance vehicles using the overflow car park at Broadsands for revving engines, conducting ‘donuts’ and participating in other forms of anti-social behaviour has begun. 

“The overflow car park forms a natural amphitheatre and the noise carries, causing distress and nuisance to the nearby local residents.   

“Last Friday morning, an incident occurred in the overflow car park, where someone fell from a moving vehicle resulting in very serious injuries to that person. This just shows that the car park is not a playground and the actions of a small minority could have serious consequences not just for themselves but also to the wider public who use the car park.”

The car park is the location for a planning application to Torbay Council for a go-kart track. The applicant says the site is the “perfect location” for a track and he wants to use up to 12 petrol-power karts between 10am and 8pm seven days a week, between Easter and September.

The change of use application saw 561 objections and seven comments in support.

 Many objectors complain about the risk of noise disturbing the residents in the peaceful valley behind the beach in a sheltered bay between Paignton and Brixham.
 

Police would now like to speak to anyone with information, but particularly two potential witnesses seen walking from the rear of the Broadsands Bistro towards the car park around that time.

A 50-year-old man from Paignton who was arrested has been released under investigation pending further enquiries.

Call 101 if you can help, quoting log 249 of 14 May.