Lack of escort 'led to collision'

A decision not to use an escort vehicle for a combine harvester's journey led to a fatal crash, a court has heard.

Bruce Cade, 41, died as the truck he was driving collided with the vehicle near Brauncewell, Lincolnshire, on 30 August 2008, Lincoln Crown Court heard.

Combine driver, Neil Hodgson, 26, of Brackenhurst Lane, Southwell, denies causing death by dangerous driving.

Mr Cade was driving too fast but this did not excuse Mr Hodgson's actions, the prosecution said.

Mr Hodgson, an agricultural contractor, was travelling 20 miles (32km) from Little Carlton to harvest crops in Brauncewell.

Advance warning

Pc Paul Whetstone told the court he was legally required to have an escort vehicle to warn other motorists about the 13ft (4m) wide machine and had failed to tell police about the journey.

Pc Whetstone said the vehicle took up the entire width of the road immediately before the crash.

He said the presence of an escort vehicle would have given the necessary advance warning and its absence contributed to the collision.

The court heard farm manager Matthew Smith allegedly told Mr Hodgson to travel without an escort.

The 34-year-old of Trent Cottages, Kelham, Nottinghamshire, denies aiding and abetting death by dangerous driving.

The court was told Mr Cade, who died at the scene of the crash, was travelling between 50 and 55mph in a 40 mph zone.

Gordon Aspden, prosecuting, said this did not excuse the defendants' roles in the incident.

The trial continues.