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Death crash lorry driver jailed Death crash lorry driver jailed
(about 1 hour later)
A lorry driver has been jailed for three years and nine months for killing a family of four when he fell asleep at the wheel on an Oxfordshire road.A lorry driver has been jailed for three years and nine months for killing a family of four when he fell asleep at the wheel on an Oxfordshire road.
Ian King, 61, of Groby, Leics, who has a condition that causes drowsiness, had been found guilty of causing death by dangerous driving in December.Ian King, 61, of Groby, Leics, who has a condition that causes drowsiness, had been found guilty of causing death by dangerous driving in December.
Jurors heard he hit a line of cars on the A34 near Bicester on 31 July 2006.Jurors heard he hit a line of cars on the A34 near Bicester on 31 July 2006.
Malcolm Dowling, 46, wife Janice, 42, and sons Richard, 16, and George, 11, from Staffordshire, were killed.Malcolm Dowling, 46, wife Janice, 42, and sons Richard, 16, and George, 11, from Staffordshire, were killed.
King ploughed into several cars at the rear of a long tailback during the afternoon rush-hour.King ploughed into several cars at the rear of a long tailback during the afternoon rush-hour.
The 30-tonne lorry he was driving then went over the Dowlings' vehicle, as they returned home after a family holiday in France.
We are all haunted by the sight of four coffins being carried into the church on the day of the funeral Susan Whittingham sister of Janice DowlingWe are all haunted by the sight of four coffins being carried into the church on the day of the funeral Susan Whittingham sister of Janice Dowling
The 30-tonne lorry he was driving then went over the Dowlings' vehicle, as they returned home after a family holiday in France.
He had been awake since 0430 on the day of the crash and driving since before 0700.He had been awake since 0430 on the day of the crash and driving since before 0700.
He told jurors during his trial at Oxford Crown Court that "something catastrophic" had happened but he did not know what.He told jurors during his trial at Oxford Crown Court that "something catastrophic" had happened but he did not know what.
He hit a Ford Focus, a Renault Laguna, the Dowling's Peugeot 307 and a transporter lorry.He hit a Ford Focus, a Renault Laguna, the Dowling's Peugeot 307 and a transporter lorry.
He was later diagnosed with sleep apnoea - a respiratory condition that disrupts sleep and can cause drowsiness.He was later diagnosed with sleep apnoea - a respiratory condition that disrupts sleep and can cause drowsiness.
Ian King was diagnosed with sleep apnoea following the crash
The court heard that King did not know he suffered from the condition at the time of the crash and did not feel drowsy.The court heard that King did not know he suffered from the condition at the time of the crash and did not feel drowsy.
He was found guilty of four counts of causing death by dangerous driving.He was found guilty of four counts of causing death by dangerous driving.
King hit several cars at the rear of a long tailback on the A34
Earlier in court, witness impact statements were read out from Susan Whittingham, sister of Mrs Dowling and godmother of the two boys.Earlier in court, witness impact statements were read out from Susan Whittingham, sister of Mrs Dowling and godmother of the two boys.
She wrote: "This tragedy has devastated us all beyond words and with such grief as to be beyond compare. The enormity of the shock has been overwhelming and all-consuming.She wrote: "This tragedy has devastated us all beyond words and with such grief as to be beyond compare. The enormity of the shock has been overwhelming and all-consuming.
"There isn't a day when my parents do not wake up in tears or go to bed in tears."There isn't a day when my parents do not wake up in tears or go to bed in tears.
"We are all haunted by the sight of four coffins being carried into the church on the day of the funeral.""We are all haunted by the sight of four coffins being carried into the church on the day of the funeral."
Linda Howlett, sister of Mr Dowling, said in her statement: "They were a loving couple and a very close and loving family. The boys were doing well at school and happy in everything they undertook."Linda Howlett, sister of Mr Dowling, said in her statement: "They were a loving couple and a very close and loving family. The boys were doing well at school and happy in everything they undertook."
Drowsiness warning King hit several cars at the rear of a long tailback on the A34
During sentencing Judge Morton Jack described King as a "good family man" who had led a "blameless and hardworking life".During sentencing Judge Morton Jack described King as a "good family man" who had led a "blameless and hardworking life".
He said his family would "suffer" by his absence.He said his family would "suffer" by his absence.
But he added: "The lives lost are beyond price and no punishment under the law can in any way be a measure of their value.But he added: "The lives lost are beyond price and no punishment under the law can in any way be a measure of their value.
"You were in control of a very powerful missile on a dual carriageway in the rush-hour and the duty on you to drive properly was a very high one."You were in control of a very powerful missile on a dual carriageway in the rush-hour and the duty on you to drive properly was a very high one.
"The expert evidence during the trial was that you must have had clear warning of drowsiness, this was not a case of momentarily nodding off.""The expert evidence during the trial was that you must have had clear warning of drowsiness, this was not a case of momentarily nodding off."