It might come as a surprise, but Harrow on the Hill was the site of Britain’s very first fatal car crash involving a driver – a tragic moment in history that took place on Grove Hill way back in 1899.
There’s even a plaque still there today that marks the spot, quietly reminding passers-by of the day modern motoring took a deadly turn.
A demonstration drive that ended in tragedy
On 25 February 1899, a 31-year-old engineer named Edwin Root Sewell set off from Whitehall in a brand-new Daimler wagonette – one of the earliest petrol cars on the road. With him was Major James Stanley Richer, a 62-year-old retired army officer and senior buyer for the Army & Navy Stores. The idea was simple: give the Major a first-hand look at the future of transport.
They made their way through London and eventually up to Harrow on the Hill, where they stopped for lunch at The King’s Head Hotel on the High Street – a building that still stands today, though it’s now been converted into flats.
After lunch, Sewell decided to demonstrate just what the Daimler could do. The plan? Drive down Grove Hill, one of the steepest roads in Harrow, and show off the car’s impressive braking ability.
But it didn’t go to plan.
As they made their way down the hill, the car began to pick up speed – somewhere between 14 and 20 miles per hour, which was fast for those days. Sewell hit the brakes near a bend, but the force proved too much. One of the wooden wheels gave way, possibly due to a burst tyre or simply the strain.
Sewell, who was driving, was thrown from the vehicle and killed instantly. Major Richer was also flung out and suffered a serious head injury. He was taken to hospital but sadly died a few days later, on 1 March 1899.
Others in the car – there were a few more passengers on board – were lucky to escape with only minor injuries.
Britain’s first fatal motoring accident
The deaths of Sewell and Richer weren’t just tragic – they were historic. They became the first driver and passenger in Britain to be killed in a car accident.
The crash made headlines across the country. Cars were still new, and many people had never even seen one before. This accident brought home just how dangerous this new invention could be.
At the time, there were no seatbelts, no traffic laws, and certainly no driving tests. The roads weren’t designed for motor vehicles. In fact, it had only been a few years since the national speed limit was raised to 14 mph – and even that was considered risky.
The plaque on Grove Hill, Harrow
Today, if you walk or drive down Grove Hill, you’ll see a white plaque set into the wall near the bend where the crash happened. It was put up in 1969, 70 years after the accident, and unveiled by Harrow’s then mayor, Alderman Charles Stenhouse.
It reads: “TAKE HEED. The first recorded motor accident in Great Britain involving the death of the driver occurred on Grove Hill on 25th February 1899.”
It’s a quiet reminder of how far we’ve come – and how dangerous things once were.
Some people think the first road death in Britain was Bridget Driscoll, who was hit by a car in Crystal Palace in 1896. That’s true – but she was a pedestrian. The crash in Harrow was the first time people inside a car died in a road accident.
So, in a strange way, Harrow on the Hill is part of motoring history – not because of a great invention, but because of what went wrong.
It’s a sobering thought, especially when you see how many cars zip up and down Grove Hill today without giving it a second thought. Back then, there were no safety features, no emergency services on speed dial – just risk and adventure.
The plaque’s message, “Take Heed,” still feels relevant. It’s not just about remembering the past – it’s a warning for today too. Drive safely, pay attention, and remember that even something as everyday as a trip down the hill can turn dangerous in an instant.
Next time you’re walking through the hill, take a moment to find the plaque. It’s easy to miss, but it tells a powerful story – one that began more than 120 years ago, right here in Harrow.
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Seamus Donaghy is a freelance writer with a strong interest in Harrow’s local history. Originally from Sligo in the Republic of Ireland, Seamus moved to Harrow with his family when he was seven years old and grew up in Wealdstone. He has lived in the borough for more than 30 years and writes about the people, places and stories that have shaped Harrow over the years.
