Bloxwich grandad ‘crushed to death by pick-up truck while looking at …

A grandad was crushed to death when a pick-up truck reversed into him during a horrific workplace tragedy, a court has heard. Nigel Sedgewick, from the Black Country, was struck by a Ford Ranger 4x4 when he momentarily stopped in the forecourt of a garage to look at his phone.

The 65-year-old, who was looking forward to his upcoming retirement, was dragged under the vehicle and became trapped. Workers used hydraulic equipment to haul the truck off the victim but he died in hospital.

Garage worker Paul Davies, who was behind the wheel of the 4x4, has now been told he will not have to spend any time behind bars for causing Mr Sedgewick's death. Tributes have since been paid to the victim, who was described as 'amazing and kind' by his loved ones.

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Mr Sedgewick, from Formby Way, Bloxwich[3], had been looking forward to spending time with his grandson and travelling during his imminent retirement, NorthWalesLive reports[4]. Prosecutor Sarah Badrawy told Mold Crown Court[5] how Mr Sedgewick picked up a vehicle from Wolverhampton and delivered it to the garage in Bretton, Flintshire, Wales.

Davies pulled out of a bay and reversed the Ford Ranger, knocking over deliveryman Mr Sedgewick before reversing again at about 8.30am. The defendant realised what had happened and got out of the vehicle as others used hydraulic equipment to lift the Ford Ranger.

Davies, 50, then performed CPR on his victim. Emergency services were dispatched to the scene but Mr Sedgewick died at the Countess of Chester Hospital after suffering 'unsurvivable' injuries.

Home Office pathologist[6] Dr Brian Rodgers said Mr Sedgewick died from severe chest injury with crush asphyxia as a result of a road traffic accident. A forensic collision investigator said he may have been preoccupied with what was on his phone.

His back was to the Ford Ranger and its sound may have been masked by the noise of traffic on the A5104 Chester approach road a mile away, it was said. Davies had performed the manoeuvre 'hundreds if not thousands of times', the court heard.

He told police: "The vehicle felt sluggish, like something was disrupting momentum. I got out and saw a foot at the back. I saw this man lying face up."

Widow Christina Sedgewick described her late husband - a former marke trader - as 'amazing and hard working'. His death had been a 'sad and devastating loss', she said in a statement.

Son Michael recalled his dad's 'humour, advice and companionship', while son James said his father was his 'hero and best friend'. Mr Sedgewick's sister Clare Abbott said she felt 'broken to the core'.

Megan Tollitt, defending[7], said Davies was supported by his wife. He had been described as the 'most reliable, committed and hard working employee' by the company's national fleet and commercial leader.

Davies remains employed and is expected to continue in that role, the court was told. The convict, of Beaumont Close, Chester, was handed an eight month jail term, suspended for two years, for causing death by careless driving.

The incident took place at the Evans Halshaw Ford Transit Centre, in Chester Road, on May 3 last year. Sentencing[8], Judge Rhys Rowlands told Davies he had not kept a proper look out and the incident could have been avoided.

He said: "The manoeuvre was carried out in an unsafe fashion. This was an accident albeit one with the most dreadful consequences.

"You behaved entirely responsibly [afterwards] though in a great deal of shock." Davies was also ordered to carry out 200 hours of unpaid work and was handed an 18-month driving ban.

He was also given a £1,000 fine[9] and told to pay £420 costs and a £156 surcharge.

References

  1. ^ RAC worker rammed first car into minibus after trying to 'outrun' cops at 90mph in Walsall (www.birminghammail.co.uk)
  2. ^ Poll: Do you think This Morning should be axed? (xd.wayin.com)
  3. ^ Bloxwich (www.birminghammail.co.uk)
  4. ^ NorthWalesLive reports (www.dailypost.co.uk)
  5. ^ Court (www.birminghammail.co.uk)
  6. ^ pathologist (www.birminghammail.co.uk)
  7. ^ defending (www.birminghammail.co.uk)
  8. ^ Sentencing (www.birminghammail.co.uk)
  9. ^ fine (www.birminghammail.co.uk)

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