Inquest told of lorries' role in van's fatal crash

An inquest has heard how a fatal collision happened after a Mid Wales lorry driver pulled up on the nearside lane of the A14 in Northamptonshire after realising he had a puncture.

The inquest yesterday in Corby heard another lorry driver had to move out in front of a council van to avoid Welshpool trucker John Evans's vehicle.

Kettering Borough Council van driver Alan Heels applied the brakes after the other lorry pulled out in front of him, the inquest heard. But the inquest was told the van skidded along the road, crashing into the back of the lorry.

Mr Heels's fellow council worker Kieran O'Driscoll, 19, suffered multiple inj-uries in the crash and died.

The inquest was told the van had its brakes tested several times before the crash amid concerns they were locking up.

Mr Heels said he reported problems with the van's brakes to mechanics at least twice before the fatal crash on October 15 2007.

Mr Heels said they were travelling at about 65mph in the outside lane of the A14 between junctions eight and nine at Kettering when he saw the articulated lorry sta-rt to pull out in front of him.

He said: "The vehicle continued to cross into my lane and I was forced to brake heavily. I started to brake but I realised I needed to brake hard and we started to skid down the road."

The inquest also heard witnesses describe seeing Mr Evans mount a high kerb at a service station, but not noticing the damage.

Several tried to attract his attention but it was not until he joined the busy carriageway that he realised and pul-led over, creating the obst- acle the other lorry tried to avoid, the inquest was told.

The inquest was expected to resume today.