‘I lost my whole world because an HGV driver couldn’t stay off Facebook’

A grieving dad is urging drivers not to use their phones when behind the wheel following his young son being killed by a motorist who 'checked Facebook'.

Andy O'Dell's 14-year-old son, Joe Cairns, was sadly killed when HGV driver, James Majury, who was found to be using his phone when driving, ploughed into a school minibus on the M58 in Lancashire in January 2019.

Majury also killed support worker Anne Kerr, 50, and injured five others in the collision.

He was jailed for eight years and 10 months for death by dangerous driving as well as two years and eight months for the offences of causing serious injuries.

Andy, 55, says his son's death was 'totally preventable' and is now urging other motorists to 'think twice' before using their phones whilst driving.

The dad-of-three from Bury^[2] said: "I lost my whole world because of James Majury's selfish actions. If he'd been paying attention while behind the wheel, Joe would still be here today."

"But he was robbed of a future, and we were robbed of the memories that we should have been able to make with our boy."

Joe had been on his way to school on January 8th 2019, when Majury's Mercedes HGV truck crashed into the Vauxhall Vivaro minibus Joe was travelling in.

Majury's mobile phone records proved that he had been looking at Facebook and fantasy game Hustle Castle while driving and in the moments before the collision.

He had also been on the Sky Sports App and had even sent a series of text messages throughout his journey.

Preston Crown Court heard he had just half a second to react before the crash.

Reflecting on the day of the accident Joe's dad recalled: "Joe's mum phoned me to say that the school had been in touch to tell her that the mini bus was late and they would keep us informed. I didn't worry, I thought they would be stuck in traffic."

But a couple of hours later Andy got a call from a police liaison officer and he said he needed to come and see me. Andy continued speaking of the 'soul-destroying day: "I thought Joe might have been in an accident and that he had broken in his leg or arm. He came to the door and I knew Joe was dead, he didn't need to tell me, I could see it in his face. It was soul-destroying, it was devastation."

Andy, a support worker for adults with learning difficulties, went on to speak of his 'cheeky chappy' who loved pugs and telling jokes, who dreamed of being a dog walker one day.

Joe had been diagnosed with autism when he was 10 but was starting to 'get to grips' with his neurodiversity at the time of the tragic incident and was settling well at his new school, Pontville School in Ormskirk.

He added: "He was just starting to get to grips with his autism, and he was excited for the future. All he wanted to do was walk his dogs."

After Majury's sentencing Andy was given the chance to meet his son's killer due to the restorative justice scheme. Whilst he could not reveal what was discussed during their meeting at Kirkham prison, but felt he was able to 'get the answers he needed'.

Andy said: "I was really angry after the court case- I thought the sentence was a joke and Joe's killer seemed cold and heartless. I wasn't sure if I wanted to meet him at first, but decided to go and was shocked at how helpful I find it. It helped to see how remorseful he really was."

Five years on from the loss of Joe, his family are still coming to terms with their loss, but Andy hopes by sharing his grief he can prevent other families from experiencing their heartache.

"Learning that Joe's death was totally preventable has been incredibly difficult to process," Andy said, "I'm still coming to terms with the loss of my son. We do all we can to remember him."

Andy has a KitKat each Friday, Joe's end of week treat, to feel close to his son, whilst Joe's school give a gold pug trophy made in his memory to students who overcome adversity each year.

Andy added: "I really hope that Joe's story will make people think twice about using their phone while driving. So much devastation has been left from something that could have so easily been avoided."

References

1. ^{^} Greater Manchester protests LIVE as mosques urge people to 'be vigilant' and businesses shut ahead of 'planned unrest' (www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk)
2. ^{^} Bury (www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk)