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A truck driver who was caught on video careering along a motorway at 60mph with a car trapped on its front bumper has been cleared of any wrongdoing.

Youtube video

The clip, viewed by half a million YouTube fans, shows Mr Tomlinson's 40-tonne tanker pushing a blue Renault Clio as it hurtles along the A1(M) in Yorkshire.

At one point, sparks are seen flying from the car which was being driven by a woman who had been attempting to undertake the lorry.

John Tomlinson, a commercial driver for 29 years, was praised for being "cool and calm" in the crisis during a Traffic Commission hearing to decide if he should keep his HGV licence.

Sean Joyce, Mr Tomlinson's solicitor, described how Rona Jane Williams, a vet from York, was joining the southbound carriageway of the A1(M) at junction 44 when the incident happened on January 13.

Quoting her statements to police, Mr Joyce explained that her lane of the slip road merged into the middle lane of the motorway.

He added: "She saw Mr Tomlinson's HGV in the middle lane as she came off a slip road on to the carriageway.

"She was effectively performing an undertaking manoeuvre as she joined the lane."

Ms Williams told police she felt a "bump" as the vehicles came together and her car pivoted 90 degrees.

Mr Tomlinson remained oblivious of the car under its cab and continued driving until a motorist in a 4x4 pulled ahead of the vehicles and began flashing his hazard lights.

Mr Joyce said: "Mr Tomlinson remains unable to offer any explanation simply because he was unaware of the collision... He simply did not hear anything, see anything, or feel anything."

Mr Tomlinson, from Clitheroe, Lancashire, appeared close to tears as he spoke of his relief after the hearing.

He described the pressure of the investigation as "indescribable".
In a statement, Mr Joyce said his client had been "wholly vindicated of any wrongdoing".


Sky News