Mystery over death smash

A lorry driver accused of causing the death of two schoolgirls in a horrific crash near Lichfield has told a court he has no explanation for the smash.

Robert Murray of Summer Close, Wrockwardine Wood, Telford, took to the stand at Stafford Crown Court yesterday to deny dangerous driving. He told a jury he was "devastated" about the collision. He said he planned never to drive again.

Rebecca Casterton, aged 13, of Barton under Needwood, and Lauren Brooks, aged 12, of Burton upon Trent, were killed at around 5.30pm on January 20 while being driven home from riding lessons at Harrogate Manor, near Burton.

Lauren's mother Irene Corrie was driving a Renault Clio when it was clipped by Murray's articulated lorry, pulling in after overtaking a line of traffic.

The court heard Murray, aged 51, had left his employers NYK in Findon and was was making his way to Telford on the A38.

He admitted he had called his wife from his mobile phone before the crash, but claimed the phone remained within a cradle on the dashboard throughout, despite the fact he did not have a loudspeaker facility.

He said he had completed the call well before he began a manoeuvre to overtake the line of traffic.

Mr Martin Butterworth, prosecuting, asked: "Didn't you see the lights of Clio?" Murray replied: "No, I just wish that I had."

Murray said he had seen a car, which he believed to be the last in the queue behind the lorry, pull off onto the slip road and had indicated and checked his mirrors before pulling out.

He said he felt a 'judder', and looked out of the window and saw the car, with the undercarriage showing.

He said: "I just wondered where it came from. I was devastated."

He denied he was using his mobile phone or connecting it to the charger at the time of the crash and said nothing had distracted him.

The case continues.

By Sally Walmsley