OTD | A car crash in England injured Garry Sobers and killed his close friend in 1959

On September 9, 1959, the world of cricket was hit by a tragic event that left a permanent mark on both the sport and one of its greatest players, Garry Sobers. This day marked the untimely death of Collie Smith, a highly talented West Indian cricketer, after a devastating car crash in England. The incident not only shocked the cricketing community but also deeply affected Sobers, who was behind the wheel at the time of the accident.

That summer, Sobers had been playing for Radcliffe in the Lancashire League, while Smith, a promising off-spinning all-rounder, had been representing Burnley. Along with their friend Tom Dewdney, they were set to travel south to London to participate in a charity match. The trio had planned to make the trip with another cricketer, Roy Gilchrist, but after waiting for an hour without his arrival, they decided to leave.

As they took turns driving Sobers’ Ford Prefect, a night that began in good spirits took a tragic turn in the early hours. Near the Darlaston Bend on the A34, Sobers, who was driving at the time, was blinded by the headlights of an oncoming vehicle. Unable to react in time, the car collided with a 10-ton truck. Sobers, Dewdney, and Smith were all injured in the crash, but it was Smith who suffered the most serious injuries, including severe damage to his spinal cord.

A devastating news for Garry Sobers! 

Three days later, Sobers and Dewdney, still recovering in the hospital, received the devastating news: Collie Smith had passed away due to his injuries. Smith’s death sent shockwaves through the cricket world. Only 26 years old, he was on the verge of a brilliant career, and many believed he could have been one of the game’s greats. His funeral in Jamaica saw 60,000 mourners gather to bid farewell to the island’s beloved son.

For Sobers, the loss was deeply personal. Smith had been his close friend and roommate during tours. The weight of the incident, coupled with the guilt of being the driver during the accident, haunted him. Sobers was charged with careless driving and fined £10, but the emotional toll was far greater. The event cast a shadow over Sobers, and for a time, cricket took a backseat in his life.

However, Sobers eventually found a way to channel his grief into his game. In the opening Test of the 1959-60 series against England, he played a monumental innings of 226 runs, occupying the crease for nearly 11 hours. In his autobiography, Sobers later wrote that he realized he had to carry the legacy of both himself and Smith, a testament to the lasting impact his friend had on him.