A lorry driver's failure to perform a basic safety check resulted in a terrifying five-vehicle pile-up on a Welsh road, with dashcam footage capturing the entire incident.
The Moment of Impact
Christopher Tribe, 57, was driving his heavy goods vehicle along the B5129 in Sandycroft, Flintshire, on December 3 last year when the crash occurred. The court heard that Tribe was driving with a severely misted-up windscreen, leading to poor visibility.
Alarming video evidence shows the driver changing gears just seconds before plowing into the back of a white minibus. The force of the collision was so powerful that it instantly cracked his windscreen, knocked his cap from his head, and sent objects flying around the cabin.
Tribe is heard exclaiming oh s**t as he struggles to regain control of the large vehicle.
Aftermath and Injuries
The consequences of the collision were severe. The minibus was shunted into a ditch, its rear door completely crushed. The minibus driver and one passenger suffered multiple injuries.
Two other cars were also damaged in the chain-reaction crash, leaving another motorist injured. The incident also resulted in glue from the lorry spilling across the road.
Prosecutor James Ashton told Mold Magistrates' Court that the primary cause was poor visibility due to the misted windscreen.
Court Sentencing and Driver's Remorse
Patrick Geddes, defending, stated that Tribe was clearly remorseful and had pleaded guilty to dangerous driving at the earliest opportunity. He mentioned that low sun prior to the crash contributed to the difficult conditions, though this did not excuse his client's actions.
Geddes also admitted that Tribe had checked his phone while driving, confirming it was poor practice but stating it was not a direct cause of the collision.
Lucy Bureau, Chair of the Magistrates, described the event as a fairly horrific incident.
Tribe, of Buckley, Flintshire, avoided jail but received a 36-week sentence, suspended for 18 months. He was handed an 18-month driving ban and must pay a £187 victim surcharge plus £85 in costs. Before he can drive again, he must pass a compulsory extended retest.
