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Blind mechanic works in the dark

A blind mechanic has told how he fixes cars using just hearing and touch to find out what’s wrong with them. Col Collewijn has worked for a garage in Nuis, Holland, for 30 years despite losing his eyesight at the age of eight.

He said: “As long as my tools are in the right place and no screws drop to the ground I get along alone very well. I do everything by trusting my sense of touch and my hearing. I can feel if anything is vibrating strangely or there’s an odd sound from the engine or another part of the car.

“Some mechanics have to take a whole car apart trying to find out what’s wrong with it. But sometimes I can hear or feel exactly where the problem is and get to work on it straight away.

“And I have one big advantage over other mechanics - I can repair cars in the dark.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ruth Mitchell .