A van driver who ran over a pedestrian while reversing the wrong way along a narrow town road has told jurors he never saw the man, insisting he was driving very carefully with a clear view.
William Hughes, 84, died after being hit by a Mercedes Sprinter while walking along one-way New Street in Wigton on July 31 2019.
Due to a police incident that afternoon, the only legitimate point of access into New Street was closed, with Mr Hughes — a man in robust health and no reported hearing impairments — walking towards any traffic that could have been coming.
Van driver David Barron, planning to visit a business on New Street for a potential collection, opted to reverse against a no entry sign into New Street, navigating a 90 degree bend before travelling 72 metres behind Mr Hughes before a fatal collision which occurred despite a witness yelling stop.
Barrows is on trial at Carlisle Crown Court. He denies causing Mr Hughes’ death by driving either dangerously or carelessly.
When interviewed by police after the collision, experienced driver Barron said he was distraught about what happened. “I feel for Mr Hughes and his family,” he said.
Today, self-employed Barron gave evidence to jurors, telling them he had driven on New Street thousands of times through his work.
Because of the police incident, the area was a bit frantic, a bit chaotic as he was diverted away from King Street and the only access to New Street, to Station Road.
“I made a calculated decision,” he said of reversing into New Street through the no entry sign. Asked whether there were other options, he replied: “I don’t think so, based on the chaos. I thought I was doing the right thing to get my van out of the way.
“I know to be careful. I know to look out for people. You have to be aware. But on that day there was no-one to be seen.”
He believed he had a clear view but then heard a quiet bump. “I thought I had clipped the kerb,” he said. Barron stopped immediately and got out.
“I saw a poor old man on the road between the front and rear tyres,” he told jurors. “I have to be honest, the first thing I said to him was ‘where the hell did you come from?’ I thought he must have fallen from the steps of a house. Suddenly he was there. I was shocked, as anyone would be.”
He was definitely not driving dangerously, and added: “I was driving with the utmost care. Very, very carefully. Not carelessly.”
Under cross-examination, Barron, of Hillcrest Avenue, Carlisle, disagreed with prosecutor Jon Close’s suggestion that his driving was inherently dangerous.
Barron accepted there was a substantial blind spot behind his vehicle but hadn’t realised it was almost 50 metres as it emerged.
“I was paying proper attention,” said Barron. Mr Close asked: “How did you miss him?” “I don’t know,” replied Barron.
“Do you think you did anything wrong?” asked Mr Close.
Barron said: “I think, given the circumstances, I did what was necessary.” “How did you not see him?” Mr Close asked. Barron said again: “I don’t know.”
The trial continues.
