It was on this day in 1898 that wealthy retired builder Henry Lindfield became the first ever motorist to die from the result of a collision.

The 42-year-old from Brighton collided with a tree after losing control of his two-seater vehicle coming down a hill near Croydon and was to later die from his injuries in hospital.

His 18-year-old son was thrown from the vehicle in the collision but escaped practically unharmed.

A highly-esteemed figure in his native Brighton, Lindfield - described as a "gentleman" on his birth certificate - was a keen early motoring enthusiast and left an estate value of around £2 million in today’s money.

Sell or part ex your car today