The first impression of Bermuda for two visitors from Massachusetts was of being hit by a black Hyundai heading straight for them on the wrong side of the road.

Harold and Debra Wingood, from Worchester Massachusetts, had been picked up from the airport by taxi driver Rudy Bailey after flying in from the US east coast.

Mr. Bailey's taxi was hit by the speeding stolen car near Walsingham Lane outside Tom Moore's Tavern in Bailey's Bay during yesterday's high-speed chase.

Mr. Bailey was taking the couple to their Southampton hotel to begin their six day vacation.

Mr. Bailey, an experienced sailor, said that his taxi, which only had third party insurance, suffered substantial damage to the right wheel and the steering at a cost of $4,000.

"There was no way I was going to let that fool hit me head on," Mr. Bailey said.

He said his sailing experience might have helped his "lightning fast reflexes"

"The jaws of life were not going to cut me out with two broken legs. Plus I had two visitors in the back who would have been thrown forward. I'm glad everybody got away alright. I can get the car replaced," he said.

Speaking over the telephone from his hotel, Mr. Wingood said he was "very, very grateful (for Mr. Bailey's reactions). Had he not reacted as he did we would have been hit head on."

Mr. Wingood said they were going along and as he was watching he saw the black car speeding along, out of control.

"Rudy responded instantly, so it only hit the front side of the taxi. We are very grateful," he said.

"We landed only moments earlier ?nothing like that had ever happened to us before. After such a beginning (in Bermuda) everything has got to be downhill from here."