A GRIEVING father is urging drivers not to use their phones behind the wheel after his son was killed in horror crash, as he released heartbreaking video of his son laughing as he celebrated his birthday.
Andy O’Dell’s son Joe Cairns, 14, was killed when HGV driver James Majury ploughed into a school minibus on the M58 in Lancashire in January 2019.
Majury, who had been using his phone throughout his journey, also killed support worker Anne Kerr, 50, and injured five others in the collision.
He was jailed for eight years and 10 months for death by dangerous driving offences and two years and eight months for the causing serious injury offences.
Dad of three Andy, 55, says his son’s death was “totally preventable” and is now urging motorists to “think twice” before using their phones while driving.
Andy, a support worker for adults with learning difficulties, from Bury, Lancashire, said: “I lost my whole world because of James Majury’s selfish actions.
I lost my whole world because of James Majury’s selfish actions.
Andy O'Dell
“If he’d been paying attention while behind the wheel, Joe would still be here today.
“But he was robbed of a future, and we were robbed of the memories that we should have been able to make with our boy.”
Andy described his son as “a cheeky chappy” who loved telling jokes.
Joe was diagnosed with autism at 10 years old but was starting to come to terms with his neurodiversity and was settling in well at his new school, Pontville School in Ormskirk
Joe loved pugs, and he dreamed of one day being a dog walker.
Andy said: “He was just starting to get to grips with his autism, and he was excited for the future.
“All he wanted was to walk his dogs.
“He loved Doctor Who and Avengers – and that was his life and loves.”
Joe was on his way to school on 8 January 2019, when Majury’s Mercedes HGV truck crashed into the Vauxhall Vivaro minibus.
While driving his lorry, mobile phone records proved that Majury had been looking at Facebook and fantasy game Hustle Castle in the moments before the collision.
He had also been on the Sky Sports app, and sent a series of text messages throughout his journey.
Preston Crown Court heard that he had just half a second to react before the crash.
Here's a list of reckless driving behaviour and the fines and penalties you risk getting from it.
Reflecting on the day of the accident, Andy said: “Joe’s mum phoned me to say that the school had been in touch to tell her that the mini bus was late and they would keep us informed.
“I didn’t worry, I thought they would be stuck in traffic.
“Then a couple of hours later, I got a phone call from the person who became my family liaison officer and he said he needed to come and see me.
“I thought Joe might have been in an accident and that he had broken his leg or arm.
It was soul-destroying, it was devastation.
Andy O'Dell
“He came to the door and I knew Joe was dead, he didn’t need to tell me as I could see it in his face.
“It was soul-destroying, it was devastation.”
After the sentencing, Andy was given the opportunity to meet his son’s killer as part of the restorative justice scheme.
He is not able to reveal what was discussed during their meeting at Kirkham prison, but felt he was able to “get the answers he needed”.
I was really angry after the court case – I thought the sentence was a joke and Joe’s killer seemed cold and heartless.
Andy O'Dell
Andy explained: “I was really angry after the court case – I thought the sentence was a joke and Joe’s killer seemed cold and heartless.
“I wasn’t sure if I wanted to meet him at first, but decided to go and was shocked at how helpful I found it.
“It helped to see how remorseful he really was.”
Five years on, and Joe’s family are still coming to terms with the loss.
Andy hopes that by sharing his grief, he can prevent other families from experiencing the same heart ache.
Learning that Joe’s death was totally preventable has been incredibly difficult to process
Andy said: “Learning that Joe’s death was totally preventable has been incredibly difficult to process.
“I’m still coming to terms with the loss of my son.
“We do all we can to remember him – his school made a gold pug trophy in his memory, and each year the pug goes to a student who has overcome adversity.
“Joe loved KitKats, and every Friday if he was good, his school would give him a KitKat as a reward.
“They used to call it ‘KitKat Friday’, and now I treat myself to one at the end of the week, and it makes me feel close to my son.
“I really hope that Joe’s story will make people think twice about using their phone while driving.
“So much devastation has been left from something that could have so easily been avoided.”
