Downham Market lorry driver Gary Dunbavin died on A10 at Southery after crashing into embankment
A "well-liked" lorry driver died on the A10 after losing control of a HGV and crashing into an embankment, an inquest has heard. Gary Dunbavin, 40, from Downham, was on a night shift for logistics company Masters at around 8.45pm on October 17, when the lorry veered off the road near Ferry Bank in Southery into an embankment.[1][2] The vehicle had travelled around 20 to 30m into thick reeds and grass, and when police attended the scene, they saw Mr Dunbavin on his back, deceased, about 16 metres behind the cab towards the rear wheels of the trailer.
An inquest into his death held at Norfolk Coroner's Court in Norwich this morning found he died from multiple traumas as a result of the crash.
It was said that moments before the incident, Mr Dunbavin attempted to manoeuvre through a right-hand bend, but was unable to "negotiate" it, causing the lorry to leave the A10. As a result, a stretch of the road was closed for 20 hours.
His employers described Mr Dunbavin as a "very popular and well-liked member of the team". Justin Howlett, the operations manager at Masters, said: "He had a genuine rapport with many of the companies we hired drivers out to.
"Our drivers and the companies we hire out have pledged cash and hours in Gary's memory to help his family.
"Within a week, we had raised GBP2,000 in cash and hours." A police investigation into the incident found no issues with the vehicle prior to the crash, Mr Dunbavin was wearing his seatbelt, and there was no evidence of any phone use at the time. A toxicology report confirmed there was no alcohol or drugs in his system.
However, it hinted that he may have experienced a "micro-sleep" from working night shifts for the previous two weeks. Mr Dunbavin's fiancee, Crystal, stated that he had been feeling ill that day, though his colleagues thought he looked "fine". "If I had to describe Gary in words, they would be kind, selfless, generous and understanding," she said.
"He was family-oriented and happiest when surrounded by those he loved.
"Gary was my soul mate, my best friend, my safe place.
"His death was like a grenade in our family, and I am trying to minimise the casualties while grieving as a fiancee and raising our daughter alone."
For more information on how we can report on inquests, click here.[3]
References
- ^ Gary Dunbavin, 40, from Downham (lynnnews.co.uk)
- ^ the lorry veered off the road near Ferry Bank in Southery into an embankment. (lynnnews.co.uk)
- ^ For more information on how we can report on inquests, click here. (www.ipso.co.uk)