Police still seek cause of Crowther 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 CAUSE of the road accident in which Leslie Crowther, the comedian and television personality, was seriously injured remained a mystery last night.
Mr Crowther was in a stable but critical condition yesterday more than 24 hours after he lost control of his Rolls-Royce and veered off the M5 in Gloucestershire on Saturday. He underwent surgery to remove a blood clot on his brain after the accident near Cheltenham. His car was the only vehicle involved.
Lyn Hill-Tout, general manager of Frenchay Hospital, Bristol, where Mr Crowther is in the intensive care unit, said: 'He has stabilised after the operation and has shown some slight signs of improvement.'
Mr Crowther, 59, of Corston, near Bath, who hosted the television shows Crackerjack and The Price is Right, was returning home from opening a shopping centre in the Midlands when he lost control of his car and it ended up on its roof on the hard shoulder.
Inspector Mervyn Watts, of Gloucestershire police, said yesterday: 'His vehicle will be examined . . . to see if there was a mechanical defect. But as it is a Rolls-Royce it does not seem all that likely that there was a defect. He could have had a blow-out or he might have swerved to avoid something.'
He said that police had asked for permission to carry out a breath test on Mr Crowther but the request was refused by doctors. This was a routine procedure and there was no suggestion that alcohol was a factor in the crash.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments