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Trucker jailed over crash deaths Trucker jailed over crash deaths
(20 minutes later)
A lorry driver has been jailed for six years after a crash that killed a family of four on the M25 in Kent.A lorry driver has been jailed for six years after a crash that killed a family of four on the M25 in Kent.
Peter Murray, 62, of Tadworth, Surrey, was nearly two-and-a-half times over the legal alcohol limit. Peter Murray, 62, of Tadworth, Surrey, was nearly two-and-a-half times over the legal alcohol limit when his lorry hit the Sawirs family's car.
His lorry hit the family's car on the hard shoulder. The impact crushed it, and shunted it across three lanes where it burst into flames with them inside. The impact on the hard shoulder crushed it, and shunted it across three lanes where it caught fire with them inside.
Murray admitted four counts of causing death by dangerous driving at a previous Maidstone Crown Court hearing.Murray admitted four counts of causing death by dangerous driving at a previous Maidstone Crown Court hearing.
Prosecuting, Peter Alcock told the court how a taxi driver watched in "absolute horror" as the lorry headed towards the car.Prosecuting, Peter Alcock told the court how a taxi driver watched in "absolute horror" as the lorry headed towards the car.
Mr Alcock said witnesses had told how Murray's Foden HGV was seen weaving and swerving between lanes, narrowly missing a car and another lorry.Mr Alcock said witnesses had told how Murray's Foden HGV was seen weaving and swerving between lanes, narrowly missing a car and another lorry.
'Many tried to help''Many tried to help'
Medhat Sawirs, 40, Ghade Sita Sawirs, 30, and their daughters, Mary, four, and Sylvia, two, all from London, died in the crash.Medhat Sawirs, 40, Ghade Sita Sawirs, 30, and their daughters, Mary, four, and Sylvia, two, all from London, died in the crash.
They had been waiting for help with a flat tyre close to Clacket Lane services, near Sevenoaks, at 1030 BST on 8 August. The family had been waiting for help with a flat tyre close to Clacket Lane services, near Sevenoaks, at 1030 BST on 8 August.
The court was told how Mrs Sawirs drifted in and out of consciousness in the passenger seat, saying "help me", before the Volkswagen Bento saloon caught fire. The court was told how Mrs Sawirs drifted in and out of consciousness in the passenger seat, saying "help me", before the Volkswagen Bento saloon burst into flames.
He said "many tried to help", but "no-one within was able to get out and no-one outside was able to get in".He said "many tried to help", but "no-one within was able to get out and no-one outside was able to get in".
At the Princess Royal University Hospital in Bromley, south east London, Murray had blood tests to determine his alcohol level and told staff: "I'm sorry, I want to die, I'm a bad person, I've hurt someone."At the Princess Royal University Hospital in Bromley, south east London, Murray had blood tests to determine his alcohol level and told staff: "I'm sorry, I want to die, I'm a bad person, I've hurt someone."
Peter Murray wakes screaming in night with guilt, the court heard
Defending, Richard Christie said the reason Murray "drank to excess on this occasion" was "a bad argument with his wife".Defending, Richard Christie said the reason Murray "drank to excess on this occasion" was "a bad argument with his wife".
He said that since the crash, Murray, of Brighton Road, Lower Kingswood, "wakes in the night screaming" with terrible guilt.He said that since the crash, Murray, of Brighton Road, Lower Kingswood, "wakes in the night screaming" with terrible guilt.
'Huge guilt'
Jailing him, Judge Philip Statman said: "There can be no excuse for driving whilst under the influence of drink."Jailing him, Judge Philip Statman said: "There can be no excuse for driving whilst under the influence of drink."
But he said: "This defendant bears a huge sense of guilt, has genuine remorse."But he said: "This defendant bears a huge sense of guilt, has genuine remorse."
Murray was given concurrent six-year terms for each offence, and told he would serve half the sentence. He was banned from driving for five years.Murray was given concurrent six-year terms for each offence, and told he would serve half the sentence. He was banned from driving for five years.
After the hearing, Kent Police Sergeant Nick Silvester said: "While Murray has shown remorse for his terrible actions he will have to live with this on his conscience for the rest of his life."After the hearing, Kent Police Sergeant Nick Silvester said: "While Murray has shown remorse for his terrible actions he will have to live with this on his conscience for the rest of his life."
And Janet Garnons-Williams, from the Crown Prosecution Service, said it was "fortunate" drivers following Murray were alert and took "avoiding action".And Janet Garnons-Williams, from the Crown Prosecution Service, said it was "fortunate" drivers following Murray were alert and took "avoiding action".