Harthill: Injured HGV driver launches legal action after brush with death

James Finney, 42, from Harthill, was delivering wooden sleepers to the Station Hotel, Finningley in April this year when he was struck by a transit van he was helping to guide into the venue’s parking area.

He lowered the tail-lift of his truck and turned to help a driver of a transit van enter the car park at the hotel.

As he returned to continue lowering his tail-lift, he was struck by the van, pinned to the back of his truck and dragged along the tail-lift, causing significant injuries to his back, ribs and leg, as well as serious internal abdominal injuries.

The father-of-three was rushed to hospital by ambulance and spent 11 days in intensive care at Doncaster Royal Infirmary with internal bleeding, a dissected bowel, damage to his leg and spine. James also underwent two operations to remove part of his bowel and appendix.

James, who completed the Yorkshire Three Peaks challenge for cancer research charities in 2014, said: “This incident has had a huge impact on my life as I can no longer do the things I have always enjoyed.

“ I loved to keep fit and take part in charity walks, but I know that for the time-being those activities are a distant memory for me.

“My injuries and the time I spent in hospital have also affected my family, my working life and my enjoyment of simple things like food, as I can no longer eat the things I used to due to the internal injuries I suffered.”

Ian Whittaker, aninjury lawyer at Irwin Mitchell, who is representing James, said: “This incident has had a huge impact on James and his family. The injuries he suffered were very serious and he continues to suffer with pain as a result of the incident.

“We are now working to secure James, who has been unable to work since April, funds that will cover his lost earnings and ensure he is able to access the help and support after this horrendous ordeal.

“Sadly, we see a number of cases like James’ where vulnerable road users are involved in collisions with vehicles and know just how serious the consequences of these incidents can be.”