There are calls for more safety measures around breakdowns after a recovery worker died in a crash on the A303 in Hampshire.
Tom Watson and two other people were killed when a lorry collided with a van, a car and a recovery truck near Andover last month (25 August).
Mr Watson was on his way to a job in Andover when he saw a woman had broken down on the side of the A303 and had stopped to help.
However, as he and another driver were moving the car to safety, there was an accident involving an HGV. Three people, including Mr Watson, were pronounced dead at the scene.
The HGV driver was arrested on suspicion of driving a vehicle while unfit through drugs and causing death by dangerous driving. He has been released under investigation while enquiries continue.
Mr Watson’s colleagues know the danger he faced on stretches of road with no hard shoulder. Will Vincent said: “You are putting your own life in the hands of other people. We do as much as we can to make ourselves known, but at the end of the day it's down to other people to realise what's ahead of them.”
Staff at the recovery firm where Mr Watson worked are supporting a campaign called Move Over, Slow Down, designed to protect roadside workers.
Ray Avery said: “He loved his job and helping people and was a truly exceptional person. It was an honour to have known him and have had him as part of the Avery family. Needless to say, the entire team are devastated but our immediate thoughts are with his wife and family and all those directly affected by the incident.”
ITV News August 2021
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