Two brothers charged in Sandbanks crash that left 17-year-old seriously injured

Two brothers were charged with causing serious injury by dangerous driving after a Boxing Day 2023 crash on Banks Road in Sandbanks, Poole Harbour, that left a 17-year-old girl with life-changing injuries. Henry Taylor, 21, and Harrison Taylor, 19, arrived at Poole Magistrates’ Court with their parents and faced the new charge for the first time. The siblings, who live on the exclusive Sandbanks peninsula, were linked to a BMW 135i and a Mercedes A200 involved in the collision that occurred in the early hours of December 26, 2023.

The prosecution allege that Harrison Taylor drove the Mercedes A200 while Henry Taylor drove the BMW, with another friend in the passenger seat. At about 1 a.m., the Mercedes is said to have left the road and struck a gatepost at a high-end property on Banks Road. The BMW then collided with the rear of the Mercedes, sending the Mercedes into a garden wall. Mia Savage, sitting in the front passenger seat of the Mercedes, sustained severe injuries and became mechanically trapped in the wreckage, prompting a rapid fire and rescue response. She was airlifted to Southampton Hospital for treatment.

Arriving at court, the brothers stood side by side in the dock and did not enter pleas. The case was deemed too serious for the magistrates’ court and has been transferred to Bournemouth Crown Court. Prosecutor David Finney said the two are brothers and the passengers were friends who had traveled from a single address to drive a loop around the area before the collision, with all of them driving onto Banks Road. He added that Ms Savage was left “mechanically trapped with her legs,” and that extraction was required by fire and rescue before she could be helicoptered to Southampton hospital. Both brothers have been released on unconditional bail and are due to appear at Bournemouth Crown Court next month.

The investigation has prompted an urgent public appeal from Dorset Police for witnesses and dashcam footage. Inspector Craig Totton of the Roads Policing team urged anyone with information who had not yet spoken to police to come forward and asked drivers with dashcams in the vicinity at the time to review footage for anything relevant to inquiries.

Sandbanks, a seaside resort on England’s south coast, is frequently described as one of the country’s most exclusive enclaves. Seafront homes have sold for as much as £13.5 million, and the area has drawn notable residents and visitors from various walks of life.

Both Henry and Harrison Taylor were present at the magistrates’ court in Poole and are subject to ongoing Crown Court proceedings. Their next appearance is scheduled for next month, with the safety and timing of further proceedings dependent on Crown Court scheduling and ongoing investigation developments.