Back in business after fatal crash
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by Karen Miles • A haulier whose company closed down shortly before standing trial for running a truck with defective brakes after one of his drivers was killed has become transport manager of another company—without a public inquiry.
A new operation run by transport manager John Wright will not undergo any special scrutiny despite questions raised by his record.
The North Western Traffic Area Office says that Wright's new employer, Liftwright, will simply be subject to the normal checks carried out on all operators. Liftwright operates from Carrington, Greater Manchester.
In 1994 driver Robert Atkinson, working for J Wright Heavy Haulage, also based at Carrington, was killed in an accident at Ferrybridge, West Yorkshire after driving his vehicle into water.
Atkinson died after freeing his 10-year-old son, who had been travelling with him for the day. John Wright was a director of J Wright Heavy Haulage, which closed shortly before it was due to stand trial for running a truck with defective brakes. The Crown Prosecution Service later decided it could not take any action as a result of the case.
Liftwright was granted a full licence to operate in September 1996. "Checks have been conducted on Liftwright and the company was found to be satisfactory. Checks will continue," says the North Western TAO.
Steven Norris, the new Director-General of the Road Haulage Association, has declined to comment specifically on this case. But he does say: "One of the issues I am concerned about is the ease with which some individuals reappear in different guises.
"I realise this is a complicated area and that people are entitled to the benefit of the doubt," he adds, "but public safety is also important."