Man jailed over fireman's death

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A driver who killed a firefighter as he fought a car fire on a motorway hard shoulder has been jailed for two years.

Anthony Hing, 61, drove into the burning car on the A1(M) in Hertfordshire trapping fireman Paul Mallaghan underneath the vehicle.

Mr Mallaghan, who was based at nearby Stevenage, died later in hospital.

Hing, now of Liverpool, was jailed and banned from driving for 30 months after being found guilty of causing death by dangerous driving at Luton Crown Court.

A Highways Agency officer and a second firefighter were also injured in the crash in June last year.

Hing, formerly of Dunville Road, Bedford, also pleaded guilty to driving a vehicle without insurance, but the court heard the breach was a technicality and not deliberate.

High-visibility clothing

Sentencing Hing, Judge Andrew Bright QC told him he had to send out a clear message.

He said: "It's my public duty to send the message out loud and clear that those who drive in a fashion classed as dangerous and cause death to others must pay a price.

"They must go to prison and go to prison immediately. The question is for how long."

The prosecutor said a passing motorist had seen Hing's Volkswagen Golf travelling south as it approached Junction 8 and move from the outside lane to the inside lane and then onto the hard shoulder.

Hing, who suffered a broken sternum, had been working night shifts.Paul Mallaghan was trapped underneath the car

Mr Mallaghan, wearing high-visibility clothing, was dealing with a fire in a Saab when the vehicle was hit from behind.

The Saab ended up on the main carriageway with Mr Mallaghan, a watch commander, trapped underneath it, the court heard.

Simon Kitchen, defending, said Hing had refused to have physiotherapy for his injuries because he felt so guilty over the death of Mr Mallaghan.

He told the court: "He feels great guilt for what has happened and no doubt will for the rest of his life."

Mr Mallaghan's widow, Nicki, 47, said the family had been devastated by the loss.

She said: "Nothing can be said or done to undo what has happened.

"However, something positive can be done to help save lives in the future, and that's by raising public awareness of just how dangerous driving when tired can be. Tiredness kills."