TWO Ryanair pilots who died in a horror 5.30am car crash were finishing a 17-hour shift — to the outrage of unions.
Captain Matt Greenhalgh, 28, and Senior First Officer Jamie Fernandes, 24, died in a pile-up involving a taxi and two lorries on the M62 on July 11.
They started work at 11.40am the previous day, flying from Liverpool to Palma and returning that evening.
They then flew an empty jet to Luton, where they landed at 1.14am.
They were in the taxi returning to Liverpool airport when they were killed in the early morning crash.
Union Unite wants to know why they were not offered a hotel stopover.
A Ryanair source said: “It leaves a very bad taste that they were on the road in the early hours.
“Unite is worried cost cuts are making the working lives of staff dangerous.”
Cheshire Police said: “Matt Greenhalgh, 28, and Jamie Fernandes, 24, who are Captain and Senior First Officer for Ryanair respectively, were travelling to Liverpool Airport in a taxi when the collision occurred at 5.31am. The car was in collision with two lorries on the westbound carriageway between junction 8 and junction 7.
“Sadly, Matt and Jamie died at the scene. Next of kin are being supported by specialist officers.”
The families of the pilots paid touching tributes to their loved ones.
Mr Greenhalgh’s family said they were “lost without him” and the parents of Mr Fernandes said he “made the most of every moment.”
The airline was approached for comment.
