• A Yorkshire inquest has returned a verdict of unlawful
Page 6
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killing after a lorry driver drowned when his vehicle crashed into a river when its brakes failed.
Robert Atkinson of Grogan Street, Gorton, Manchester, a driver employed by J Wright Heavy Haulage, of Carrington, died when his lorry plunged 40 feet from the Al into the River Aire, near Pontefract, last June. Atkinson, who was trapped by the legs, was able to push his 10/ear-old son Darren to safety through a window before he died. The boy was rescued by a couple on a pleasure craft. It was 24 hours before police divers were able to recover Atkinson's body.
Evidence was given that the brakes of the vehicle were subsequently found by vehicle examiners to be seriously defective.
David Speight, one of three former Wright drivers to give evidence criticising the standard of maintenance of the company's vehicles, said that he had left the company before the accident because he feared for his safety.
Director John Wright told the inquest that the company had spent £33,000 on the maintenance of its vehicles between January and May 1994.
Coroner David Hinchcliff said that he considered the defects to the vehicle to be the cause of Atkinson's death.
The company are already facing charges of using a vehicle with defective brakes and following the inquest West Yorkshire police said the file would go back to the Crown Prosecution Service for further consideration.