Men killed in truck tragedy identified

http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/feb/12/men-killed-in-truck-tragedy-identified

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Three men who were killed when a 32-tonne tipper truck careered out of control down a hill in Bath have been formally identified. Robert Parker, 59, from Cwmbran, and Philip Allen, 52, and Stephen Vaughan, 34, both from Swansea, died in the incident in Lansdown Lane, Weston, Bath, on Monday afternoon, Avon and Somerset police said.

Four-year-old Mitzi Rosanna Steady, from Bath, also suffered fatal injuries when she was hit by the truck as she walked down the lane with her grandmother. Her grandmother, whose name has not been released by police, was airlifted to Southmead hospital in Bristol, where she remains in a critical condition.

The Scania truck, carrying sand and gravel, collided with Mitzi and her grandmother, then struck other cars before overturning on to a Volvo at the bottom of the hill. The three men inside the vehicle – taxi driver Vaughan, electricity company director Allen and Parker – were killed instantly.

Staff at Snapdragons nursery in Weston, which Mitzi attended, said their “hearts go out” to the little girl’s family. “We will always miss her smile and her warmth,” they said. Mother-of-two Katie d’Arcy, who lives locally, said she would often see Mitzi walking on the road with her grandmother. “She was a gorgeous little girl. It’s just unbelievable and it’s just so shocking when it is somebody you know,” she said.

Tributes have also been paid to Vaughan, from Penyrheol, near Gorseinon, Swansea, who ran luxury taxi firm EliteXecutive Travel and married his fiancee, Sian, in Turkey last year. “Sian is totally and utterly devastated,” a friend, who did not wish to be named, said. “They had not even been married for a year. Stevie was a dedicated husband and a successful businessman too. It was admirable how he built his business up and made a real go of it too. He was always polite and punctual and great conversation.”

Father-of-two Allen, who lived in Loughor, Swansea, with his wife, Caroline, was a resources and external affairs director for Cardiff-based Western Power Distribution. Relatives comforting Mrs Allen, 53, said she was too distressed to speak to the media following his death.

Around 400 residents attended an hour-long prayer service for the victims at All Saints Church Weston, led by Rector Patrick Whitworth, on Tuesday. Children, parents and grandparents lit candles and used colourful pens to write messages of condolence on white fabric. Bereavement counselling is being offered to children at Weston All Saints Primary School, some of whom witnessed the collision.

Books of condolences have been opened in libraries at Bath and Weston, while tribute flowers have been left at a nearby church.

Witnesses have told police the truck driver appeared to be trying to avert an accident and repeatedly sounded his horn. Avon and Somerset police have spoken to the driver, who sustained minor injuries, in hospital and will interview him fully at a later stage. Earlier this week, Chief Inspector Norman Pascal said: “This is a tragic incident in which three men and a young girl have lost their lives and we’re carrying out a full and meticulous investigation.”