This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/wales/south_east/7133532.stm
The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Diabetes plea after fatal crash | Diabetes plea after fatal crash |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| The family of a nurse killed by a diabetic driver who crashed after a blackout have urged other sufferers to take care to monitor their condition. | The family of a nurse killed by a diabetic driver who crashed after a blackout have urged other sufferers to take care to monitor their condition. |
| Suzanne Meredith, 54, died and her husband Julian was badly hurt when they were struck by Phillip Willey's car. | Suzanne Meredith, 54, died and her husband Julian was badly hurt when they were struck by Phillip Willey's car. |
| Willey, 46, from Penarth, Vale of Glamorgan, was jailed for causing death by dangerous driving. | Willey, 46, from Penarth, Vale of Glamorgan, was jailed for causing death by dangerous driving. |
| Diabetes UK also urged diabetic drivers to be extra vigilant on the roads for the safety of themselves and others. | Diabetes UK also urged diabetic drivers to be extra vigilant on the roads for the safety of themselves and others. |
| Judge Christopher Llewellyn-Jones QC told Willey he was guilty of "gross mismanagement" of his condition as he sentenced him to four-and-a-half years at Cardiff Crown Court. | |
| ADVICE TO DIABETIC DRIVERS Inform the DVLA of your conditionFor those who use insulin, check your blood sugar levelsIf you are on a long journey, stop to check your levels every two hoursAlways carry sweets and non-diet drinks in case of a hypoglycaemic attackIf you feel an attack coming on, stop somewhere safe, remove keys from ignition and have a sugary snack or drinkSource: Diabetes UK | ADVICE TO DIABETIC DRIVERS Inform the DVLA of your conditionFor those who use insulin, check your blood sugar levelsIf you are on a long journey, stop to check your levels every two hoursAlways carry sweets and non-diet drinks in case of a hypoglycaemic attackIf you feel an attack coming on, stop somewhere safe, remove keys from ignition and have a sugary snack or drinkSource: Diabetes UK |
| The court was told Willey "mowed down" mother-of-three Mrs Meredith as he drove home while she and her husband were walking in Sully, Vale of Glamorgan, near their home. | The court was told Willey "mowed down" mother-of-three Mrs Meredith as he drove home while she and her husband were walking in Sully, Vale of Glamorgan, near their home. |
| It emerged in court that Willey, who had been diabetic for 10 years, did not carry sweets, Lucozade or food which could prevent a hypoglycaemic attack - where there is a shortage of glucose (or sugar) in the brain. | It emerged in court that Willey, who had been diabetic for 10 years, did not carry sweets, Lucozade or food which could prevent a hypoglycaemic attack - where there is a shortage of glucose (or sugar) in the brain. |
| He had not attended at his diabetes clinic for six years and did not attend his annual review of provide blood glucose test results. | He had not attended at his diabetes clinic for six years and did not attend his annual review of provide blood glucose test results. |
| Following the court case the Meredith family urged diabetics to carefully monitor their condition. | Following the court case the Meredith family urged diabetics to carefully monitor their condition. |
| "If just one life can be saved and just one family can be spared the suffering we will have to endure for the rest of our lives, then Suzanne's life would not have been in vain," their relatives said. | "If just one life can be saved and just one family can be spared the suffering we will have to endure for the rest of our lives, then Suzanne's life would not have been in vain," their relatives said. |
| Phillip Willey did not notify the DVLA about his diabetes, the court heard | Phillip Willey did not notify the DVLA about his diabetes, the court heard |
| Cathy Moulton, a care advisor for Diabetes UK, said diabetics had to inform the DVLA of their condition. | Cathy Moulton, a care advisor for Diabetes UK, said diabetics had to inform the DVLA of their condition. |
| They were also given advice on driving by doctors and nurses, but she added: "Obviously there will be some people who slip through the net. | They were also given advice on driving by doctors and nurses, but she added: "Obviously there will be some people who slip through the net. |
| "The problem is driving is very stressful and the release of adrenaline can alter blood glucose levels." | "The problem is driving is very stressful and the release of adrenaline can alter blood glucose levels." |
| Among the advice given to drivers with diabetes is to check their blood sugar levels before they drive, carry sweets or high sugared drinks in the car. | Among the advice given to drivers with diabetes is to check their blood sugar levels before they drive, carry sweets or high sugared drinks in the car. |
| They are also urged to stop as soon as they feel an attack coming on. | They are also urged to stop as soon as they feel an attack coming on. |
| But Ms Moulton said people with diabetes had to monitor their condition "throughout their lives, day in day out". | But Ms Moulton said people with diabetes had to monitor their condition "throughout their lives, day in day out". |
| "It is for their own safety and that of others," she added. | "It is for their own safety and that of others," she added. |