AN HGV driver died after being crushed by his lorry when he failed to put on the parking brake, an inquest heard.

Gary Walters from Crowmarsh Gifford, near Wallingford, had coupled his cab to a trailer full of components when the whole unit started to roll forward.

Mr Walters, 51, who was standing between the cab and trailer, jumped down and ran in front of the vehicle but did not get round in time. He was crushed then dragged under the cab.

He was airlifted to hospital where he was pronounced dead about an hour later.

Derby and South Derbyshire Coroner’s Court heard Mr Walters, from The Street, was an experienced driver who had picked up and dropped off loads at Bison Manufacturing, in Swadlincote, near Derby, on a number of occasions before the accident, on October 10 last year.

Det Insp James Allen told the inquest: “This was a tragic accident that could so easily have been avoided.

“This accident came about as a result of a number of errors on the part of Mr Walters.

“The principal one was his failure to apply the parking brake.”

The inquest heard the brakes on the trailer were also not turned on.

Dr Ivan Robinson, who carried out a post mortem examination, said Mr Walters’s chest had been crushed in the impact, causing multiple injuries.

Forensic collision investigator Pc Shaun Downing said Mr Walters had backed his cab on to a trailer but failed to apply the parking brake before he got out to couple the two together, and the whole unit started to roll forwards.

Pc Downing said: “From taking witness statements, the most likely scenario is that he attempted to round the front of the vehicle to get in and apply the brake. ”

In court to hear the evidence were Mr Walters’s widow Vanessa, his son James, 19, and brothers Mark and Terry.

He also had two daughters Joanna, 16, and Tania, 13.

Also in court were representatives of the Health and Safety Executive whose investigation continues.

Speaking outside the inquest brother Mark Walters said: “Gary had driven HGVs for years. He loved his job.”