Lorry driver who killed four minibus passengers in M25 crash jailed for just three years

A lorry driver has admitted to causing the deaths of four minibus passengers due to careless driving when they were returning to their London hostel after a day out.

Ethan Burdett, 67, was approaching the exit slip road to junction 26 of the M25, near Waltham Abbey, when he slammed his DAF truck into the back of the minibus on August 23, 2021.

The passengers were returning to their hostel in Walthamstow, east London after spending a day at the beach in Southend, Essex.

Hostel manager Jennifer Smith, 59, and residents Abigael Muamba, 31, Dexter Augustus, 60, died at the scene.

Lisa Gardiner, 44, was taken to hospital but later died of her injuries.

Three other people were also seriously injured and the M25 was closed for 11 hours after the crash.

Burdett’s lorry was laden with flooring and he hit the brakes just one second before he collided with the minibus and a Ford Mondeo.

He admitted causing the deaths of four people due to careless driving at Chelmsford Crown Court.

Judge Timothy Godfrey told Burdett: ‘As you approached the junction there is clear evidence that a sign 1.6 miles from the collision warned oncoming traffic there was queuing traffic.

‘You did not at any stage moderate your speed…somewhere between 56 and 58mph.

‘You lifted your foot from the accelarator one second before the collision

‘There was no evidence you braked or sought to manouvre your vehicle away from the collision in front of you.

‘As a result of the collision four passengers from the minibus died.’

The judge added that no sentence he could pass could compensate the grieving relatives of the victims.

Burdett was jailed for three years and disqualified for four and a half years.

He will also have to re-take his test if he ever wants to drive again.

In a victim impact statement Jennifer Smith’s daughter Nicola Elliott told the court: ‘My mother was not a victim in her life and no matter what happened she was a fighter.

‘My true feelings can never be put into words.

‘The loss of my mother has left an indescribable void in my life which cannot be filled.

‘The impact of her loss expands far beyond my own sorrow.

‘She will never see the grandchildren who she doted on grow up and graduate from university.

‘No words can adequately convey the depth of my sorrow.’

In a statement Mr Augustus’ two daughters said: ‘We miss our dad tremendously and miss him dearly.

‘No words can describe the grief we feel.

‘He was a beloved grandfather, he was funny, adventurous, a great storyteller, caring and intelligent.

‘We have felt loss since he was taken from us. Hearing about his death was our worst nightmare.’

Mr Augustus, a grandfather, died the day after his 60th birthday.

Ms Gardiner’s husband Mark Gardiner said: ‘Lisa was a beautiful woman.

‘She was a loving wife and devoted mother to her two sons who along with me miss her beyond any words.

‘The pain we have been left with since her passing simply can’t be put into words.

‘I cry every day thinking about the amazing memories I made with Lisa and those we share as a family.

‘She will never get to see her sons grow up, meet any grandchildren they have or witness her sons get married.

‘I have no option now but to watch our sons grow up without their mother.

‘The bond Lisa had with her sons was second to none, they need their mother and she has been taken away by no fault of hers.’

The court was told Burdett had a clean driving record but did have previous convictions for stalking and harassment.

Burdett, of Haven Marina, Ipswich, admitted causing death by careless driving.

Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@metro.co.uk.

For more stories like this, check our news page.