A motorist has been charged with causing the death of a highways officer by dangerous driving and leaving his colleague paralysed.

Emergency services were called to the scene of a devastating crash on the M6 at around 12.10pm a year ago today, February 24, after a car collided with two Highways England officers who were helping motorists following an earlier collision.

A recovery truck and mechanic from Askam-based Furness Cars and Commercials was also at the scene.

A black Mercedes collided with the two highways officers, killing 51-year-old Adam Gibb from Penrith instantly and leaving 51-year-old Paul Holroyd needing to be anaesthetised at the side of the road.

Mr Holroyd, from Kirkby Stephen, was flown to the James Cook Hospital in Middlesbrough and has since been told he is permanently paralysed as a result of his injuries.

The southbound carriageway was closed for almost nine hours after the fatal crash.

One witness to the crash, Sean Toms from Shrewsbury described the scene as "carnage".

Both he and his friend, Peter Neden, desperately tried to give first aid to Mr Gibb as they awaited the arrival of paramedics but their brave efforts were in vain as they realised he had no pulse and died at the side of the motorway, on the southbound carriageway between junctions 38 and 37.

The driver of the Mercedes, 36-year-old Peter Morrison, of The Warke in Worsley, Manchester, has been charged with causing death by dangerous driving and causing serious injury by dangerous driving.


Sean Toms Mr Toms said he was relieved that the case had finally taken a step forward.

He said: "It's a desperately sad situation and I am surprised that it has taken so long but I'm also pleased it has finally progressed.

"The sad fact is, a man has lost his life and another is paralysed."

Morrison is due to make a first appearance at North Cumbria Magistrates' Court in Carlisle on March 7.