A HGV driver was probably distracted at the wheel when he ploughed into the back of a car transporter on the A1, an inquest heard.

The accident on May 22 involving Steven Garstang’s lorry and a stationary car transporter caused part of the A1 northbound to be shut for most of the day near Leeming Bar.

An inquest held in Northallerton on Thursday, November 22 heard that the car transporter had broken down on the inside lane shortly before 7am.

Its driver left the vehicle with its hazard lights flashing and headed towards a nearby SOS phone to alert the emergency services.

Several vehicles managed to safely overtake the stationary vehicle before Mr Garstang’s HGV smashed into its rear end.

Both vehicles burst into flames and 55-year-old Mr Garstang of Suffolk died ‘instantaneously’, said Coroner Michael Oakley.

CRASH: The wreckage on the A1CRASH: The wreckage on the A1

The scene of the accident on the A1 near Leeming Bar

Middlesbrough HGV driver Keith Shorten told the inquest he had seen Mr Garstang driving his Mercedes truck with his knees as it overtook him some time before the crash.

Mr Shorten said: “He pulled in front of me, I looked in and he was messing about with his phone and he had a drink, he was driving with his knees.

“I beeped my horn, I turned and pointed to his phone, he pointed to his nose as if to say ‘keep your nose out’.

“He put his window down and I put my passenger window down, I was telling him ‘put your phone down, you are all over the road’, he said ‘mind your own business’.

“He swerved over and his mirror hit my passenger mirror.”

 

The northbound carriageway was shut for almost 12-hours after the crash

Traffic Constable Stuart Langford said the evidence suggested that Mr Garstang had made little or no attempt to stop his truck before it hit the back of the transporter.

He said: “Consideration must be given to him being distracted in some manner including eating, drinking, using a mobile phone, adjusting the radio or possibly falling asleep.”

Recording a verdict of accidental death, Mr Oakely said it was ‘more likely than not’ that Mr Garstang was distracted in the moments before the impact.