In a tragic event on the M25, a lorry driver has been convicted and jailed for causing a fatal collision leading to four deaths.
- The incident occurred in the evening of 23 August 2021, involving a lorry and a minibus near Waltham Abbey.
- Significant damage was reported to both vehicles, resulting in multiple casualties and injuries among the minibus passengers.
- The driver, Ethan Burdett, admitted to causing death by careless driving and received a three-year sentence.
- The accident also led to a lengthy closure of the M25, highlighting the severity of the collision.
The collision took place shortly after 6.15pm on 23 August 2021, when emergency services responded to reports of a lorry colliding with a minibus on the M25. The crash occurred between junctions 27 and 26, as 67-year-old lorry driver Ethan Burdett failed to notice stationary traffic on the exit slip road.
Upon arrival, officers found extensive damage to both the lorry and the minibus. Of the minibus’s 11 passengers, four sustained serious injuries, while three others, as well as the car driver involved, incurred minor injuries. Tragically, individuals identified as Abigael Muamba, Dexter Augustus, and Jennifer Smith died at the scene, and Lisa Gardiner succumbed to her injuries later.
The severity of the accident necessitated the closure of the anti-clockwise M25 section for over eleven hours, underlining the impact and seriousness of the incident. This prolonged closure was essential for conducting thorough investigations and clearing the debris from the accident site.
In the legal proceedings that followed, Burdett appeared at Chelmsford Crown Court, where he pleaded guilty to causing the deaths through careless driving. His sentencing included a three-year prison term and a four-and-a-half-year driving ban, with a mandatory retest stipulated before regaining his driving licence.
Detective Inspector Mark Fraser, speaking on behalf of the investigative team, extended condolences, emphasising the profound loss experienced by the victims’ families and friends. This official statement reflects the deep sorrow and gravity of the incident from a law enforcement perspective.
The tragic accident on the M25 underscores the need for vigilance and responsibility among all road users.
