In pictures: faulty brakes that caused tipper truck crash

A Haulage firm owner and mechanic have been found guilty of killing four people, after a truck with faulty brakes lost control and crashed in Bath.

Local schoolgirl 4 year old Mitzi Steady and 3 businessmen from Wales died in the crash in February last year. Haulage firm owner Matthew Gordon and Mechanic Peter Wood were found guilty of manslaughter by gross negligence.

The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency was a key partner during the trial's investigation and provided expert mechanical and maintenance advice throughout the case.

They showed that the company had flouted regulations which are in place to ensure the safety of the public. Vehicles were signed off as being roadworthy, even though there were longstanding faults.

The condition of the brakes on the lorry at the time of the crash was totally inadequate, with an overall efficiency of just 28 per cent.

In addition to the four people who died, a number of people were seriously injured. Credit: Police
Four people – including a four-year-old girl – died on 9 February after a 32 tonne tipper trick went out of control on a descent. Credit: Avon & Somerset Constabulary

The jury decided the crash was caused by a series of errors - and not just ones made on the day itself.

For months, the truck was neglected. The haulage firm owner put profits before safety, the court was told. And that culminated in the crash which left four people dead and two more with extensive injuries.

A jury convicted Matthew Gordon (the owner of Grittenham Haulage and a driver) and mechanic Peter Wood guilty of four counts of gross negligence manslaughter. Credit: Avon & Somerset Police