An HGV driver has been prosecuted after a worker was killed during road maintenance work in Kent.

Anthony Steven Smith, 48, of Philadelphia road, Porthcawl, Newport, Wales, pleaded guilty to causing death by careless driving and a breach of section 7 of the Health and Safety at Work Act at Sevenoaks Magistrates' Court.

He was sentenced to 12 weeks' imprisonment (suspended for 12 months) and disqualified from driving for 12 months.

The court heard how road worker Dale Pentney, 20, was crushed by an HGV tractor unit which unexpectedly rolled backwards as Mr Smith was in the process delivering materials for repairs on the A21 in January 2015.

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Mr Smith was described as an experienced HGV driver and was in the process of connecting his tractor unit to another parked trailer when it rolled backwards.

Two men working with Mr Pentney were able to jump out of its way, however Mr Pentney was trapped between the two vehicles. He sustained major head injuries and died at the scene.

An investigation by Kent Police and HSE found that Smith failed to apply the parking brake of the tractor unit before he left it. He also failed to follow recognised industry coupling procedures.

Speaking after the hearing, HSE inspector Melvyn Stancliffe said: "This was a tragic and wholly avoidable accident and HSE's sympathies are extended to the Pentney family. Sadly, it shows how dangerous situations can develop very quickly. These coupling / uncoupling incidents – known as 'runaways' or 'rollaways' – are all too common.

"Many vehicles are fitted with visual and audible parking brake warning alarms, and if they are not fitted, hauliers should consider retrofitting them to their tractor units as HSE considers it reasonably practicable to do so. These alarms must never be ignored. Drivers must ensure they correctly apply the tractor unit parking brake before exiting the cab and then follow safe decoupling and coupling procedures."

(LM)