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British Firefighter Convicted In Siren Stampede Death
TARIQ TAHIR
Metro
A firefighter yesterday admitted causing the death of a farmer trampled by his cattle when they were spooked by a siren.
Julian Lawford was on a 999 call and sounded the siren on the engine as he was driving down a country road.
Farmer Harold Lee was walking his 100 dairy cows in front of the engine at the time and the herd panicked and trampled him. The 75-year-old suffered head and chest injuries and died six days later.
Yesterday, Lawford, who was facing a manslaughter charge, admitted the lesser charge of causing death by careless driving, which was accepted by the prosecution.
Richard Smith QC, defending, told the court: 'Such a plea reflects that he drove his fire engine forward with its lights flashing with the herd in front of him, which caused them to act as they did, causing the death.' Lawford, 49, from Glastonbury, Somerset, was released on bail, pending reports. He will be sentenced on Monday.
Judge Mr Justice Roderick Evans, at Exeter crown court, said: 'You have heard the indication that I have given, that I will not be sending you to prison immediately, subject to the other sentence options remaining open.' The incident happened on a B-road near Burtle, between Glastonbury and Burnham-on-Sea, in August last year.
Mr Lee was moving his cows to a milking parlour when they were startled by the siren.
Members of Mr Lee's family were in court to see Lawford plead guilty.
Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service said Lawford remained on suspension.
Related
Firegeezer: Firetruck Driver Convicted for Causing Stampede
Copyright 2010 Associated Newspapers Ltd.
All Rights Reserved
December 15, 2010
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by lutan1 on
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Interesting case. Some food for thought on how we respond, though I'm not sure of the alternative- does he turn it all off and wait for the herd to move off the raod? That could take ages and delay the response.
Curious to know what others do when confronted by cattle, etc?
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Permalink Reply by Doug Hamer on
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Appears there might be more to the story than meets the eye; perhaps an overzealous police and/or prosecution Read this ... http://firegeezer.com/2010/03/02/morning-lineup-march-2-3/
I am curious, if someone could bring civil action against the farm, for delaying the response of the fire apparatus to the emergency scene. Guess it comes down to rights of cows to be on the road versus rights of emergency vehicle to travel unimpeded down the road. Heaven forbid....Aunt Martha get's "startled" by a fire truck siren and has a heart attack.....will another firefighter be charged.
There appears to be much more to this story than is being told.
Been there, done it....cows move to the side of the road, into the ditch and fire truck slowly proceeds.
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Permalink Reply by Fireyladd - Retired Chief Sharp on
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OUCH!
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