A vehicle recovery driver was knocked over by a Range Rover he failed to properly secure, allowing it to roll down a hill and crush a passer-by, an investigation found.
Sean Baker, a driver for GRS Recovery, became trapped underneath the two-tonne vehicle as it rolled down Exeter Crescent in Bournemouth. CCTV showed the black Range Rover rolling down the hill away from the tow truck onto which Baker was attempting to jack it, before he became caught in the wheel.
Witness describes rescue attempt
He was spotted by Kai Dransfield, who was on a break while working at a nearby TGI Fridays, who described seeing Baker 'hanging on for dear life'.
'He made eye contact with me, and my first thought was to just grab him to try and help him', Mr Dransfield recalled.
However, in his attempt to rescue Baker, the restaurant worker found himself struck by the 4x4 vehicle, crushing both of his legs. He sustained serious injuries, including multiple broken bones in his legs and fractures to his spine, and continues to suffer constant pain and has difficulty walking.
HSE investigation findings
A Health and Safety Executive (HSE) investigation found Baker had initially attached a winch to the front of the Range Rover, which would have prevented it from running away on the steep hill. However, he later removed the guardrail and placed skates on the rear wheels, allowing the car to roll down the incline.
The HSE probe found that Baker had not taken reasonable safety precautions, having failed to follow established procedures.
He was given a 14-week prison sentence, suspended for a year, after pleading guilty to breaching Section 7 of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974.
Inspector's statement
HSE inspector Alexander Ashen said: 'Sean Baker was an experienced recovery driver. Failing to properly secure a vehicle weighing more than two tonnes on a steep hill was a fundamental error.
'This happened in a busy town centre, close to restaurants and car parks, with vehicles, motorcyclists and pedestrians regularly passing through the area.
'Sean Baker's failings were substantial; they exposed everyone nearby to risk and resulted in a member of the public, who stepped in to help, suffering life-changing injuries.'
