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Accidental death verdict in 'sleep apnoea' case
14th August 2008, Page 12
14th August 2008
Page 12
Page 12, 14th August 2008
— Accidental death verdict in 'sleep apnoea' case
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DESPITE CAUSING an accident that led to a motorist's death, a lorry driver has escaped prosecution because he was suffering from an undiagnosed sleeping disorder.
Colin Wrighton's 35-tonne vehicle crashed into a queue of stationary traffic on the M62 near Liverpool. Nine vehicles were damaged, and motorist Toby Tweddell was killed in the incident in August 2006. Wrighton was charged with causing death by dangerous driving.
However, after it emerged that the truck driver was unknowingly suffering from sleep apnoea, which causes interruptions in breathing during sleep, coroner Christopher Sumner decided to record a verdict of accidental death.