Two Ryanair pilots were killed when a lorry driver 'switched off' and ploughed into the back of their stationary taxi on the M62 motorway. Anthony Burns, 63, has been jailed for 10 years after admitting his dangerous driving caused the deaths of Jamie Fernandes, 24, and Matthew Greenhalgh, 28.
A Fatal Journey in the Early Hours
The tragic incident occurred in the early hours of July 10, 2024. Uber driver Rashid Mehmood had collected the two pilots from Luton Airport around 1:30am for a journey to Liverpool John Lennon Airport. The court heard that both men fell asleep almost immediately in the back of the Toyota Auris.
As the taxi travelled westbound on the M62 near Warrington, an incident on the opposite carriageway had forced the closure of the westbound lanes. This created a queue of stationary traffic. Mr Mehmood's car came to a stop behind one lorry.
'Switched Off' Driver Failed to See Queue
Anthony Burns, an HGV driver with over 30 years of experience, was approaching the same area. Liverpool Crown Court heard he was travelling at a steady 56mph in torrential rain, despite advisory speed limits of 40mph. Prosecutors stated he had an unobstructed view of the traffic queue for at least 500 metres.
Burns did not brake until less than a second before impact. His lorry smashed into the back of the taxi, crushing it between two heavy goods vehicles. He later claimed he had gone 'effectively on autopilot' and did not register the danger until it was too late.
Devastating Consequences and a Decade-Long Sentence
The collision caused injuries to Mr Fernandes and Mr Greenhalgh that were described as 'not survivable'. Mr Mehmood remarkably survived, suffering a broken shoulder, multiple rib fractures and spinal injuries. Rescuers only realised he was alive when they saw his hand emerging from the wreckage.
Judge Simon Medland KC, sentencing, highlighted the awful conditions and Burns's failure to adjust his driving. He said the two pilots were 'bright young men with significant careers and a long life ahead of them'.
Burns, of Upton, Wirral, pleaded guilty to two counts of causing death by dangerous driving and one of causing serious injury by dangerous driving. He must serve at least two-thirds of his 10-year sentence in prison. He was also banned from driving for 150 months and will need to pass an extended retest.
The court acknowledged his genuine remorse and previous good driving record, but stated the catastrophic results of his inattention demanded a substantial prison term.
