Dead Man’s Time author Peter James walks away from spectacular 85mph car crash
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.The bestselling crime writer Peter James is back in the driving seat after a spectacular crash at Brands Hatch in which suffered cracked ribs and a bruised spleen.
James was racing his 1965 BMW, which he bought in January for £100,000, when he was clipped from behind by a Lotus Cortina as he took a fast downhill bend at 85mph.
“If you were a baddie and you wanted to spin a car round, you’d hit the back section just there by the rear wheel,” he told The Independent yesterday. “I always wondered what it would feel like. I saw grass, gravel, tarmac… Apparently I rolled four times.”
James is a keen driver who holds an international racing licence and has owned an Aston Martin Vanquish, two Mercedes and two E-Type Jaguars.
When the crash happened on Saturday he was in pole position and optimistic about winning the race. He is thanking luck, a strong safety cage and a new, £1,500 neck brace that he walked away.
“As soon as the car came to a halt I thought, ‘I’ve got my book launch next week, is my right arm OK to sign copies?’”, he said.
His book Dead Man’s Time – the latest of his Roy Grace detective novels - is published by Macmillan next Thursday and he has vowed to honour publicity events in his home town of Brighton, followed by a US trip and then a book tour of Britain and Ireland.
Despite medical advice to rest, James was out with police contacts in the back of a squad car when The Independent called him, nursing his injuries through two “blue runs” across Brighton. He insists that he is recovering – “And anyway, we’ve got Dan Brown to try and beat.”
A full interview with Peter James appears in this weekend’s Independent on Sunday.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments