Defective brakes to blame for runaway tipper damage
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Consideration of disciplinary action against AP&N Christopher Rant Hire has been adjourned for a month.
The Tonyrefail, Rhondda-based company was called before South Wales Traffic Commissioner David Dixon at a Cardiff disciplinary inquiry after one of its vehicles was involved in an accident after
running down a hill just before Christmas.
The Commissioner heard that driver John Jones lost control of his laden artic tipper on a steep hill in Pontardawe, near Swansea. It smashed into a lamp post, a building and a stationary vehicle; Jones needed hospital treatment.
Vehicle examiner John Hill said that the trailer had a number of faults which
attracted an immediate prohibition for a signif
icant maintenance failure.
The tractor had severe accident damage. A brake actuator on the trailer was dismantled and was tied up with cord to prevent it dangling down on the road. There was excess travel on other brake actuators: these brake defects led to the accident.
For the company, Christopher Childs said Jones had been employed since September. He had been issued with a defect report book but had not used it.
Traffic manager Alan Christopher conceded that no disciplinary action had been taken against Jones. He and another driver, Robert Thomas, told the TC that Jones had phoned Christopher for advice about the brake actuator.
Thomas said he believed that Jones had been told to take the traler to Westcots Yard in Pyle to be repaired. "I told him 'I wouldn't load that lorry if I were you'," said Thomas.
Christopher said that after the accident Jones had insisted that the brakes had been working well and had not caused him any concern.
Neither Jones nor the vehicle examiner who inspected the trailer were present at the hearing: the TC adjourned the proceedings until 21 May for them to attend and give evidence.