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Trucker jailed over crash deaths | Trucker jailed over crash deaths |
(about 7 hours 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 when his lorry hit the Sawirs family's car. | 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. |
The impact on the hard shoulder crushed it, and shunted it across three lanes where it caught fire 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. |
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 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 burst into flames. | 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 the 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. |
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". |