A night out on the glamorous streets of Sandbanks, Dorset, turned into a nightmare for a teenage girl after a high-speed crash left her with life-altering injuries.
The accident involved two luxury cars weaving around the peninsula known for its millionaire residents.
The Crash and Immediate Aftermath
The incident happened in the early hours of Boxing Day 2023, when brothers Henry Taylor, 21, and Harrison Taylor, 19, were allegedly driving their BMW 135i and Mercedes A200, respectively, around the upmarket streets of Sandbanks.
Mia Savage, then 17, was sitting in the front passenger seat of the Mercedes when the collision occurred.
Emergency services described a chaotic scene. Mia was trapped inside the crumpled car, requiring urgent intervention from firefighters to free her.
She was then airlifted to Southampton Hospital, where she continues to recover from severe, life-changing injuries.
Details of the Collision
According to the prosecution, the Mercedes first collided with a gatepost belonging to one of Sandbanks’ multi-million-pound homes before the BMW smashed into the back of it.
The force of the crash sent the Mercedes into a garden wall, leaving Mia mechanically trapped and prompting the swift response of fire and rescue crews.
Prosecutor David Finney told the court that all those involved were friends who had left a single address to “drive a loop” around Banks Road, one of the exclusive thoroughfares in the peninsula.
Court Proceedings and Charges
The Taylor brothers appeared at Poole Magistrates’ Court alongside their parents but did not enter any pleas.
Both have been charged with causing serious injury by dangerous driving.
Given the gravity of the incident, the case has been escalated to Bournemouth Crown Court.
Harrison, allegedly behind the wheel of the Mercedes, and Henry, driving the BMW, have both been released on unconditional bail and are due to appear at Crown Court next month.
Sandbanks: Luxury and Risk
Sandbanks is widely known as one of the UK’s most elite residential areas, with seafront homes selling for up to £13.5 million.
The picturesque peninsula has long attracted high-profile residents, including celebrity chef Rick Stein and former Premier League manager Harry Redknapp.
A Dorset Police spokesperson appealed for witnesses and dashcam footage at the time, describing the collision as a “serious injury incident” and emphasizing the need for public assistance in piecing together the events of that night.