Lorry driver to stand trial over death of Stratford mum - The Stratford Observer

Lorry driver to stand trial over death of Stratford mum

Stratford Editorial 5th Nov, 2016 Updated: 6th Nov, 2016   0

A car transporter driver is to stand trial next year over the death of a Stratford mum who is said to have been killed while saving the life of one of her young daughters.

David Farr, age 51 of High Lane, Stoke-on-Trent, appeared at Warwick Crown Court charged with causing the death of 29 year-old Rachael Martin in May by careless driving.

The charge follows a tragic incident on May 2 as Farr was said to have been manoeuvring his transporter to unload vehicles at a car dealership in Western Road, Stratford.

It is alleged he drove forward without noticing Rachael, who was walking her two daughters, aged five and seven, to school.




Rachael is believed to have been dragged under the wheels of the transporter as she tried to protect the younger girl, who was also struck and suffered serious injuries to her pelvis and lower spine.

An ambulance was on the scene within a couple of minutes and the little girl was then airlifted to Birmingham Children’s Hospital.


Mum Rachael was declared dead at the scene.

Prosecutor Michael Shaw said a trial date of July 10 next year had been set, if there was to be a trial.

Judge Stephen Eyre QC asked for the charge to be put to Farr – despite Farr’s barrister Joseph Hart saying there was an issue over whether Rachel could have been seen from the transporter’s cab.

Farr then pleaded not guilty to causing Ms Martin’s death by careless driving.

The case was adjourned for trial, which is expected to take several days, and Farr was granted unconditional bail.

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