Students from the Royal College of Science Motor Club started the New Year with a bang yesterday when the 1916 Dennis N-type Fire Engine, Jezebel, was involved in a minor collision with a 1960's Routemaster bus during the annual New Year's Day Parade.
The parade takes place in Central London, starting at the Houses of Parliament before heading towards Trafalgar Square and ending at Green Park. More than 500,000 spectators braved the icy weather to watch the parade which Jezebel has taken part in since 2007 when she was invited to represent the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea. Jez has continued to take part, representing Imperial College London, despite the unliklihood of students geting up at 8am on New Years Day to attend. Jez parades alongside 10,000 other participants including Brass Bands, Cheerleaders, clowns and other vintage vehicles.
Nobody was hurt during the collision and both vehicles were able to drive away afterwards to complete the parade under their own power. Jez is pictured above sporting only one headlamp, the only damage being of a cosmetic nature. The incident has made news around the globe with media coverage in The Telegraph, the London Paper and on the websites for publications in Australia, India, a Television Station in France and even on Radio 2. All have reported on the crash between an 'antique fire engine' and an 'iconic London Routemaster' after it was included in a Press Association News release.
The students involved were relieved that the crash happened at such a low speed. Jez is capable of speeds upwards of 40mph but the parade, moving at a very slow walking pace, reduced the consequences of such a collision considerably.
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