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Crash families' mobile phone plea | Crash families' mobile phone plea |
(30 minutes later) | |
The families of two girls killed by a lorry driver have appealed to motorists to not use their mobile phones while at the wheel. | The families of two girls killed by a lorry driver have appealed to motorists to not use their mobile phones while at the wheel. |
Robert Murray, of Telford, Shropshire, was jailed for causing the deaths of Rebecca Casterton, 13, and Lauren Brooks, 12, in Staffordshire in 2006. | Robert Murray, of Telford, Shropshire, was jailed for causing the deaths of Rebecca Casterton, 13, and Lauren Brooks, 12, in Staffordshire in 2006. |
The 51-year-old driver had finished a mobile call moments before the crash. | The 51-year-old driver had finished a mobile call moments before the crash. |
The family appeal comes a day after the government announced new laws for those caught using phones while driving. | The family appeal comes a day after the government announced new laws for those caught using phones while driving. |
Motorists now face being given three penalty points on their licence and fines of £60 for the offence. | Motorists now face being given three penalty points on their licence and fines of £60 for the offence. |
In a statement, the girls' families said their deaths were "avoidable". | In a statement, the girls' families said their deaths were "avoidable". |
Our appeal is for people to... never use their telephones while driving Families' statement Driver jailed over girls' death | Our appeal is for people to... never use their telephones while driving Families' statement Driver jailed over girls' death |
"A year ago two young lives were lost unnecessarily because the driver of a lorry was too busy using a mobile telephone to concentrate on the road and other road users," they said. | "A year ago two young lives were lost unnecessarily because the driver of a lorry was too busy using a mobile telephone to concentrate on the road and other road users," they said. |
"Our families' lives will never be the same again and we have to live with this loss for the rest of our lives." | "Our families' lives will never be the same again and we have to live with this loss for the rest of our lives." |
They said that every day the families had to watch "people holding and using their mobile phones while driving". | They said that every day the families had to watch "people holding and using their mobile phones while driving". |
"Our appeal is for people to think long and hard of the potential life-changing consequences of their actions and never use their telephones while driving." | "Our appeal is for people to think long and hard of the potential life-changing consequences of their actions and never use their telephones while driving." |
Murray, of Wrockwardine Wood, had denied the charge but was convicted following a trial at Stafford Crown Court in November. | Murray, of Wrockwardine Wood, had denied the charge but was convicted following a trial at Stafford Crown Court in November. |
Robert Murray had used his phone moments before the crash | |
Jailing him for four-and-a-half years on Tuesday, Judge Paul Glenn said he accepted Murray had not being making a call at the time of the accident but added he was satisfied his attention was diverted by the phone. | Jailing him for four-and-a-half years on Tuesday, Judge Paul Glenn said he accepted Murray had not being making a call at the time of the accident but added he was satisfied his attention was diverted by the phone. |
The two girls were being driven home from a horse riding lesson and were back-seat passengers in a Renault Clio. | The two girls were being driven home from a horse riding lesson and were back-seat passengers in a Renault Clio. |
They were travelling southbound on the A38 at Clay Mills, near Burton, on 20 January last year, when the collision took place. | They were travelling southbound on the A38 at Clay Mills, near Burton, on 20 January last year, when the collision took place. |
Rebecca, from Barton-under-Needwood, died at the scene. Lauren, from Burton, was pronounced dead at hospital shortly afterwards. | Rebecca, from Barton-under-Needwood, died at the scene. Lauren, from Burton, was pronounced dead at hospital shortly afterwards. |
Both were pupils at John Taylor High School in Barton-under-Needwood. | Both were pupils at John Taylor High School in Barton-under-Needwood. |
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