A lorry
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driver's ransom
PRESTON-based lorry driver Alan Irwin, held by the autho rities in Iran for seven weeks since being involved in a crash, has been released, after payment of a " substantial " ransom and is driving back.
Originally, £8,500 was the asking price, but this week a a spokesman for William Jackson and Sons of Cadley said that less than this had been paid.
Mr Irwin, on his first international run, was in a crash between his DAF 2600 tractive unit and trailer and an Iranian vehicle.
Although Mr Irwin had taken out extra local insurance cover at the border as required by Iranian law the authorities claimed that it had lapsed d ing his stay in the country His employers have asked see a copy of the Iranian ins ance policy — but earlier t week were still waiting. The affair, writes a CM porter, obviously raises doul as to the validity of the "loc.
insurance papers now requit by foreign vehicles operati in many Middle East countri Foreign law can be a nlystE to British operators treadi on new ground, and ignorar of the requirements is look upon much more severely th in most European countries.
Even drivers trying to co ply with local laws can caught out, as Mr Irwin's cz illustrates.