Lorry driver, 67, who killed four daytrippers on way home from Southend when he ploughed into stationary minibus as it queued in traffic on motorway faces jail
- Ethan Burdett, 67, of Ipswich, has pleaded guilty at Chelmsford Crown Court
- The lorry driver failed to see the traffic queue on the M25 before the crash
- His vehicle slammed into the rear of a minibus, which shunted the car in front
A careless lorry driver who ploughed into stationary traffic on Britain's busiest motorway killing four people is facing jail after admitting causing their deaths in the horrifying crash.
Ethan Burdett, 67, of Ipswich, pleaded guilty at Chelmsford Crown Court to causing the deaths when he failed to see the traffic queue on the M25 in Essex in August 2021 and slammed into the victims' van almost crushing it.
Traffic police were called to the motorway at just after 6pm on 23 August 2021 and found a scene of destruction after Burdett's lorry had hit the minibus.
An investigation by the Serious Collision Investigation Unit revealed that Burdett had been travelling between junctions 27 and 26, but failed to react to stationary traffic queuing which was queuing in the inside lane.
His truck slammed into the rear of the minibus which was shunted forward and hit a car in front.
Ethan Burdett, 67, of Ipswich, pleaded guilty at Chelmsford Crown Court to causing the deaths of four people when he failed to see the traffic queue on the M25 in Essex in August 2021 and slammed into the victims' van almost crushing it. Pictured: Abigael Muamba, 31, from Edmonton
59-year-old Jennifer Smith from Stratford also died following the crash in August 2021
60-year-old Dexter Augustus from Waltham Forest was among the victims of the fatal crash
Lisa Gardiner, 44, from Walthamstow, later died from her injuries following the M25 collision
There were 11 passengers in the minibus who were going back to London[2] after a day trip to Southend.
As well as the four who died, four other passengers on the minibus were seriously injured, while four people in the car were also hurt.
Abigael Muamba, 31, from Edmonton Green, 60-year-old Dexter Augustus from Waltham Forest and 59-year-old Jennifer Smith from Stratford all died in the collision.
Another passenger Lisa Gardiner, 44, from Walthamstow, later died from her injuries.
The anti-clockwise section of the M25 was closed for almost twelve hours as police carried out a detailed examination of the crash scene.
Roads Policing officer Detective Inspector Mark Fraser, who led the investigation said: 'Firstly the thoughts of all of us who have been involved in the investigation, continue to be with the families and friends who lost their loved ones that evening.'
After the accident, the families of the victims paid tribute to the lost loved ones.
The parents of Ms Muamba, of Edmonton Green, said they missed her 'smile and dedication', and they would always remember her 'helpful heart and youthful spirit'.
They said they were 'truly heartbroken' at the loss of their daughter and she had 'so much life left to give to those she loved'.
Jennifer Smith left behind a daughter, two sons and five grandchildren and her family described the service manager from Stratford as a 'popular figure in her community' who was 'loved beyond words'.
Ethan Burdett admitted he failed to see the traffic queue on the M25 in Essex in August 2021 and slammed into the victims' van almost crushing it
She left behind a daughter, two sons and five grandchildren.
Dexter Augustus' family described him as the 'life and soul of every gathering'. From Waltham Forest he was 'a dearly loved son, brother, father, grandfather and friend to everyone that knew him', his family said.
His 'vivacious energy made him the life and soul of every gathering'.
The anti-clockwise section of the M25 was closed for almost twelve hours as police carried out a detailed examination of the crash scene
Lisa Gardiner, 44, from Walthamstow, was 'always full of life', her family said and was a 'beautiful wife and mother', according to her family.
'She was always full of life, her big heart knew no bounds and her love and life was there to be shared.'
Burdett will be sentenced at Chelmsford Crown Court on 4 July.
References
- ^ Francine Wolfisz (www.dailymail.co.uk)
- ^ London (www.dailymail.co.uk)