A MAN ran over his own brother with a lorry in a devastating tragedy at an industrial estate, an inquest has heard.
Overcome with emotion, Mark Potter described the moments before the fatal incident which led to the death of his 57-year-old brother, David Potter, at Essex Coroners Court in Chelmsford yesterday.
David Potter died in the incident in Cranes Close, Basildon, at an industrial site owned by Harris DAF in October 4, 2019.
The court heard David Potter was putting trade plates on the lorry, to prepare for his brother to take it for a test drive, when he was hit by the vehicle.
An initial post mortem found the cause of death was traumatic chest injuries.
A teary Mark Potter gave evidence via video link and had to stop for short breaks as he spoke.
READ MORE >>>
- Basildon mum tackles her grief after daughter's death with major TV challenge
- Dazzling new light displays announced for return of Southend's LuminoCity (Image: Southend Council)
He told the court: “I thought he thought I would go for a test drive alone and the engine was running before he got back with the plates.
“I looked out the windscreen, did a sweep looking around and I couldn’t see him. There was no speed at all, I released the handbrake and just touched the throttle.
“I heard a noise and David Potter was shouting, I stopped straight away. I couldn’t see him or where the noise was coming from.
“I went to the back and he wasn’t there, I walked around and got to the front and saw his glasses and phone and noticed he was at the front.
“I panicked and shouted for someone to help me. I saw him under the front and tried to get people to help get him out.”
He told the court he had agreed to meet his brother at the yard to look at the vehicle ahead of purchasing it.
He said there was a mutual agreement that he would test drive the vehicle.
Assistant coroner Tina Harrington told the hearing an ambulance car, three ambulances and an air ambulance attended the scene.
She said: “A cause of death was given of traumatic chest injuries. CCTV shows the vehicle seems to move forward and stop abruptly.”
She told the court David Potter worked for the company.
The hearing also heard from another worker from the business who told the court he went and got a forklift vehicle to help get David Potter out.
The inquest is due to conclude today.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here