Death car crash ruined my life says foster mother
A foster mother who survived a crash which killed four members of her family after their car plunged into a reservoir told a court of the horrifying moment her 'life was ruined'.
Denise Griffith, 54, told a jury that mechanic Gordon Dyche's car shunted her own vehicle as she attempted a turn, sending it plunging into the lake in Mid Wales.
Mrs Griffith's husband Emyr, 66, mother Phyllis Hooper, 84, and two foster sons Peter Briscome and Liam Govier, both 14, died and only herself and her dog Milly survived when their people carrier plunged into Llyn Clywedog near Llanidloes on April 20 last year.
Caernarfon Crown Court was told yesterday that Dyche, 24, was rushing because he was late for work and hit Mrs Griffith's car while overtaking.
Dyche, from Llanbrynmair, near Llanidloes, denies four charges of causing death by dangerous driving and a further four charges of causing death by careless driving.
Mrs Griffith told the court her family, from Pontypridd, had been on a 'leisurely drive' during a caravan holiday. "The car was shunted – and all it was was a shunt – and then I saw the rocks and sky and rocks again and then the water hit my face.
She said she scrambled to safety and 'the relief at seeing Milly when I reached the surface was overwhelming, because I just knew the others hadn't made it'.
Mrs Griffith told defence barrister Geraint Jones she was sure she had indicated right. She said: "Positive. I thought that maybe I had just killed my family. My life is ruined. It is the most lonely, lonely place to be."
Simon Mills, prosecuting, said Dyche had become impatient at slower traffic.
The trial continues.
By Andrew Morris at Caernarfon Crown Court
