Mum hit and killed after car breaks down on motorway and Green Flag refuses to help
A mum-of-four who was stranded on a motorway was hit and killed by a HGV lorry after a recovery company refused to rescue her.
John Bowers, 35, struck and killed mum Shirley-Ann Dumbuya, 38, with the HGV lorry after failing to spot a stationary Kia Ceed with its hazard lights on in a separating lane near a slip road.
The mum had been “trapped” inside the car after being unable to move it, with Dumbuya being told Green Flag could not help her unless she was on the hard shoulder.
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After a few minutes, the mum was struck and killed by the HGV lorry, with emergency services having to cut the mum out of the car, Manchester Crown Court heard.
(Image: MEN Media)
Bowers pleaded guilty to causing death by careless driving and was handed a six-month jail sentence, suspended for 12 months, and was also banned from driving for three years and his licence endorsed.
Shirley-Ann daughter Alice Dumbuya gave an emotional personal statement where she said she and the family would be “shattered forever” by the death of Shirley-Ann, who was “loved by so many people”.
Alice’s statement added: “My mother will never see her children grow up, children get married and have grandchildren. She was so looking forward to that as she spoke about this.
“The milestones in our lives will never be the same without my mum being there to appreciate it, this will sadden me forever.”
(Image: Handout)
Prosecutor Mark Kellet said that 19 other cars travelling in lane one had spotted the Kia and passed it safely, The Mirror reported.
Mr Kellet said after the accident one witness “saw the defendant who had stopped his wagon. He repeatedly said ‘I didn’t see her’ and was clearly in shock”.
Richard Dawson, mitigating, said: “Plainly this is a tragic case with catastrophic consequences. Our sympathies and condolences are offered to the family and close friends. I accept he now shows some remorse.”
Sentencing, Judge Anthony Cross QC said: “It’s obvious to me that whilst society has lost someone who not only was going to make a valuable contribution, but someone who had already done so by just being a good person.”
The Daily Star has approached Green Flag for a comment.
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