Man, 31, killed after being hit by a lorry while parked on M61 hard shoulder in suicide
A MECHANIC was killed after being hit by a lorry while he was parked on an M61 hard shoulder.
Horrified onlookers watched as Scott Hall opened his car door and intentionally stepped in front of the HGV.
The lorry was travelling 56mph, and police say the driver had no opportunity to avoid hitting the 31-year-old.
An inquest has now heard how Scott planned to kill himself when he got out of his Vauxhall Astra van on the Lancashire motorway in October last year.
Preston Coroner’s Court yesterday heard from onlookers, who described the moment they realised what he was about to do.
Paul Grey, the lorry driver, has also detailed the horror moment.
LancsLive reported he told police: “I saw the white vehicle parked up about 400 yards away and didn’t consider it unusual at first.
“When I was about 200 yards away the driver’s door opened slightly and my initial reaction was ‘don’t be so stupid’.
“I had already looked in my mirror to see if I could move if he stepped out but there was a car and moving out wasn’t an option.”
Paul said he saw the door close again and thought “ah well that’s ok, he’s safe”.
He continued: “But as I approached, the door opened wide and the gentleman stepped out of his car in what I can only describe as a lunge and he dived towards my vehicle.
“I didn’t have time to brake and the next thing I heard a loud thud.”
Gail Oldfield was cruising along in her car when she saw Scott getting out of his vehicle.
She described the haunting moment: “He was leaning out and looking directly at me.
“His posture changed and I knew at that moment what he was doing.
“I put my foot down and speeded up to get past him and out of the way. It was clear to me he was going to kill himself.
“In my rear view mirror I could see a lorry and the man got hit. He seemed to just disappear.”
Another driver Francine Bevington recalled the horror.
She said: “All of a sudden he dashed across and I screamed. It all happened so quickly.”
He was leaning out and looking directly at me.
Gail Oldfield
One driver also recalled thinking: “My first thought was, aren’t you supposed to use the passenger side?”
At the time a police investigation found Paul, the lorry driver, did not have time to take evasive action.
It also found he was travelling within the speed limit and that he wasn’t using his phone at the time of the crash.
The inquest heard how the cause of Scott’s death was given as a head injury, pneumothorax and spinal fracture.
He had also suffered multiple fractures to his spine, pelvis, head, chest and limbs.
Toxicology tests revealed that although Scott had alcohol in his system it was below the drink-drive limit.
There was also evidence of recent cocaine use.
Returning a conclusion of suicide, Area Coroner Chris Long, who viewed the incident on dashcam footage, said: “Scott Hall died on October 14, 2022, on the M61 near Chorley.
“Mr Hall stepped directly in front of a lorry. He was seen to look at traffic and walk deliberately into the road.
“In these circumstances I am satisfied that Mr Hall took steps to deliberately end his life and intended to end his life.”
You're Not Alone
EVERY 90 minutes in the UK a life is lost to suicide.
It doesn’t discriminate, touching the lives of people in every corner of society – from the homeless and unemployed to builders and doctors, reality stars and footballers.
It’s the biggest killer of people under the age of 35, more deadly than cancer and car crashes.
And men are three times more likely to take their own life than women.
Yet it’s rarely spoken of, a taboo that threatens to continue its deadly rampage unless we all stop and take notice, now.
That is why The Sun launched the You’re Not Alone campaign.
The aim is that by sharing practical advice, raising awareness and breaking down the barriers people face when talking about their mental health, we can all do our bit to help save lives.
Let’s all vow to ask for help when we need it, and listen out for others… You’re Not Alone.
If you, or anyone you know, needs help dealing with mental health problems, the following organisations provide support:
- CALM, www.thecalmzone.net, 0800 585 858
- Heads Together, www.headstogether.org.uk
- Mind, www.mind.org.uk, 0300 123 3393
- Papyrus, www.papyrus-uk.org, 0800 068 41 41
- Samaritans, www.samaritans.org, 116 123
- Movember, www.uk.movember.com
- Anxiety UK www.anxietyuk.org.uk, 03444 775 774 Monday-Friday 9.30am-10pm, Saturday/Sunday 10am-8pm