Driver was crushed by his own lorry

From the Bury Times, first published Friday 6th Jul 2007.

A MAN was crushed by his own lorry after accidentally leaving the handbrake off, an inquest heard.

Michael Booker (44), of Heap Brow in Bury, became trapped between his vehicle and the front steps of a house after trying to climb into the cab.

Recording a verdict of accidental death, deputy coroner Richard Manning said: "Unhappily, for whatever reason, Mr Booker had forgotten to put the handbrake on.

"When the lorry started to roll, he rushed after it, but trying to climb on to the lorry was impossible.

"Mr Booker would not have suffered, he died immediately of cerebral lacerations and skull fractures."

Mr Booker was travelling with a colleague when they had pulled in at a bus stop near Leeds to ask for directions Mr Booker climbed out to chat to someone and left the lorry's engine running.

Minutes later, the lorry, loaded with heavy road equipment, began to roll and Mr Booker ran after it. Nobody saw the accident occur.

Mr Booker was married with two sons and ran a haulage and plant machinery business.

His devastated father, Jim, said: "Michael's death was a tragic loss to the family, but the inquest has helped to clear up a few questions. It is so sad, he was only 44 and he was larger than life."

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