Councillor returns to cabinet year and a half after horror crash
Councillor Tony Dale was given a 50/50 chance of survival
A Cotswold councillor who was almost killed in a horror car accident during an Italian summer holiday in 2024 has now rejoined his council’s cabinet.
Liberal Democrat Tony Dale, who represents Northleach at Cotswold District Council, has taken over this month as the health, culture and visitor experience cabinet member.
Cllr Dale made a remarkable return to the authority one year on from the crash which left him with life-threatening injuries and a long road to recovery.
Cllr Dale’s hire car was struck from behind by a lorry while on a family holiday in Italy in July 2024.
It left him crushed in the back seat with a collapsed lung, broken ribs, a severed carotid artery and severe spinal damage.
Cllr Dale was air-lifted to hospital in Padua and given only a 50/50 chance of survival, and he defied the odds.
After emergency surgery and three weeks in Italy, he returned to the UK for further care in Gloucester, followed by six months at the Salisbury Spinal Treatment Centre.
Throughout the time, Cllr Dale was surrounded by support from his wife, family, fellow councillors – and had more than 500 visitors.
Now he is again taking on a cabinet role.
This time he is taking on the post previously held by Paul Hodgkinson who has stepped down after two and a half years in the cabinet.
Cllr Dale said “It’s great to be rejoining the cabinet.
“I’m looking forward to working with partners and council officers to support the health and wellbeing of our residents, expand access to culture and deliver the parking strategy for the Cotswolds agreed by the cabinet in December.”
Cllr Hodgkinson said: “I’ve really enjoyed being the cabinet member for health, culture and visitor experience for the last two and a half years working hard across the Cotswold District to support our residents.
“I’m stepping down so I can focus on my other roles as Cabinet Member for Public Health Communities and Fire at Gloucestershire County Council and the prospective Liberal Democrat MP for North Cotswolds.”
Council leader Mike Evemy said “It’s great to have Tony back in the Cabinet bringing his experience and expertise to our decision-making.
“I want to thank Paul for all his work as a cabinet member at Cotswold District Council and wish him all the best in his cabinet role at Gloucestershire County Council and as the prospective Liberal Democrat MP for North Cotswolds.”