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Passenger tells of M40 motorway tragedy: Driver killed climbing free of crash wreckage, court told

A car enthusiast was killed when he was hit by a BMW moments after he crawled free from the wreckage of his car that had been struck by a lorry, a court heard.

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Alex Butwell, of Tividale, had been driving his white VW Polo on the M40 in March last year taking his girlfriend and a friend to a car show.

The 25-year-old was travelling in convoy with friends when it is alleged he was hit by a lorry driven by George Carr.

The Polo spun into the central barrier and the driver, Mr Butwell, front seat passenger and girlfriend Rachel Crawford and friend Ashley Gibson, who was sitting in the back seat, managed to clamber out, Warwick Crown Court heard.

But the judge heard that moments later Mr Butwell and the Polo were struck by the BMW driven by Donald Corrigan throwing him 150ft.

Lorry driver Carr, aged 63, from Digby, Lincolnshire, has denied causing Mr Butwell's death by dangerous driving. Corrigan, 67, of Allesley, Coventry, has pleaded not guilty to causing death by driving without due care and attention.

Mr Gibson said when he and Miss Crawford got out after the car finally stopped after spinning, he heard a thud. He spotted his friend's body lying in the carriageway in the nearside lane, he told the jury.

Mr Gibson, giving evidence via a video link from Sandwell Magistrates Court, said the group of enthusiasts were going to a car show at Santa Pod Raceway in Bedfordshire.

They had set off from Warwick Services at around 5.20am.

Mr Gibson said: "I saw this lorry pull up alongside of me, and it began to indicate to say it was coming over to lane one. It was within a split second. The indicators came on and it gradually got close to our vehicle.

"I shouted to Alex that the truck was getting closer and to 'go, go, go.' But he didn't react. It was like he froze."

The trial continues.

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