Pair in court over hen party minibus death

Bethany Jones, of South Elmsall, West Yorkshire, was killed on April 26 last year after the minibus in which she was travelling to Liverpool collided with a lorry near junction 32 of the M62.

Twelve others in the 21-strong party were injured in the crash near Castleford, including Miss Jones’s sister and mother, and bride-to-be Stefanie Firth.

Minibus driver James Johnson, 62, of Bradford and lorry driver Kevin Ollerhead, 44, of St Helens, Merseyside, have both been charged with causing death by dangerous driving.

Yesterday the two drivers appeared at Leeds Crown Court where the Recorder of Leeds, Judge Peter Collier QC, told them they would next appear before the court on May 2 for a plea and case management hearing.

A provisional trial date of October 13 was also set. The trial is expected to last ten days.

Alistair McDonald QC, representing Ollerhead, indicated that he would be calling on expert witnesses as there were issues relating to “visibility and stopping distances”.

Johnson, wearing a dark suit and tie with a white shirt and glasses, and grey-haired Ollerhead, also wearing a dark suit, were both bailed until the next court appearance.

Bethany Jones, who was killed when the minibus she was travelling in was involved in a crash on the M62.

The crash, described as one of the worst to take place on the M62 in recent years, happened a short time after the hen party set off from nearby South Elmsall to travel to Liverpool.

The group were in pink and wearing hen-party T-shirts when the minibus crashed, ending up on its side with luggage strewn across the road.

Six air ambulances were called and flew some of the casualties to hospital.

Beth’s family said in a statement after her death that she “was a fun and bubbly girl who was caring and considerate to everyone she met.” They added: “She was the apple of her grandad’s eye and she will never be forgotten and will be sadly missed by everyone.”

In the wake of the tragedy, Bethany’s cousin set up The Beth’s Angels fund. Eight months later, the fund has reached £43,330 after groups, businesses and residents from across the South Elmsall area and beyond pulled together.

The money raised has been used in a bid to help the injured women meet their financial commitments while they recovered from serious injuries.