HGV driver jailed for crash that killed two Ryanair pilots

A lorry driver who crashed into the back of a stationary taxi killing two Ryanair pilots has been jailed.

Anthony Burns failed to notice that traffic had come to a standstill on the M62 in Cheshire until one second before impact at 05:31 BST, on 11 July 2024, Liverpool Crown Court heard.

His HGV crushed the Toyota Auris taxi against another lorry, killing rear passengers Jamie Fernandes, 24, and 28-year-old Matthew Greenhalgh instantly and leaving taxi driver Rashid Mehmood with broken bones.

Burns, 63, from Headington Road in Upton, Wirral, was jailed for 10 years earlier after admitting two counts of causing death and one of causing serious injury by dangerous driving.

The court heard Mehmood had been working a night shift and agreed to pick up the two pilots from Luton Airport and take them to Liverpool John Lennon Airport.

Greenhalgh, a captain, and Fernandes, a first officer, slept for the majority of the journey which was “uneventful” before the crash.

Due to a lane closure on the westbound carriageway approaching Junction 8 near Warrington, the taxi came to a stop behind a green Scania HGV.

The driver of the Scania, Dean Lary, told police he did not notice anything untoward until he heard a “noise like a crunch” and felt two shunts to his vehicle from behind.

Analysis of CCTV footage showed Burns was travelling around 56mph (90kmh) until his brake lights were illuminated one second before impact.

The court heard warning signs above the motorway had reduced the speed limit to 40mph ahead of the site of the crash.

Damian Nolan, prosecuting, told the court an officer, PC Owens, arrived at the scene and initially did not recognise the taxi as a separate vehicle due to the damage it had sustained.

“He could hear a voice shouting for help, but at first he could not see anyone, before a hand then appeared from the wreckage,” Nolan said.

“A head then appeared from the gap in the wreckage – It was Mr Mehmood who was conscious and breathing.

“Remarkably, he had survived the impact.”

Mehmood was taken to hospital and treated for broken ribs, a fractured right shoulder and bruising and abrasions to his head and body.

However, the court heard Fernandes and Greenhalgh had suffered catastrophic injuries.

Burns was arrested and interviewed the following day and answered no comment to all questions about his driving.

No alcohol or drugs were in his system and an investigation found no evidence he was looking at a phone or other device.

The court heard while some minor defects were found in the lorry, none of them would have contributed to the crash.

Burns was banned from driving for 150 months and must take an extended re-test before he can get a new licence.

Senior Crown Prosecutor Joseph Woodyatt said: “Burns has provided no explanation whatsoever for his role in the tragedy. Why he failed to brake as he approached the queue of traffic is a mystery.”

At the time of his death, Greenhalgh’s family said he was “constantly seeking new adventures” and had only married his wife, Hannah, three months before he died.

“Matt had a passion for life and seized every opportunity that came his way,” his family said.

“He had already achieved so much in such a short life, with so much more planned.”

“We are lost without you. You are forever in our hearts.”

Fernandes’s family said he was “living his best life” and they were grateful he had managed to achieve his childhood dream.

“Our darling boy was a loving son, grandson, nephew and cousin. He is the light of our lives and always will be,” they said.

Ryanair said it would install a plaque bearing both their names at its East Midlands Training Centre.

The airline also said it planned to introduce the ‘Matt Greenhalgh and Jamie Fernandes Memorial Award’ which will be presented to the top-performing cadet each year.