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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. |
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 Dowling | 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 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. |
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." |
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." |