Dad-of-two was crushed FACE DOWN into freshly-laid hot tarmac leaving him paralysed and scarred for life
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A dad-of-two was left paralysed and scarred for life when he was crushed face down into freshly-laid hot tarmac.
Paul Turnbull is now in a wheelchair but the lorry driver responsible for the horrific incident, after roof trusses fell off his truck, walked free from court.
Mr Turnbull is now paralysed from the waist down has life-long scars after suffering “significant burns” to his abdomen and face.
Former military man Fraser Rowand was delivering the wooden structures to a caravan park in Northumberland when they fell off, having not been secured properly.
Paul was part of a team laying tarmac at the entrance to the Forget Me Not caravan park, near Longhorsley, reports Chronicle Live .
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Mr Turnbull, 39, who lives in Forest Hall, North Tyneside, heroically pushed colleagues out the way but was crushed into the asphalt and seriously injured as 13 of the trusses fell off.
Mr Turnbull was taken to hospital with life-threatening injuries and underwent emergency surgery.
He survived but has been left scarred for life and paralysed from the waist down.
He suffered a fractured spine, permanent damage to his spinal cord and “significant burns” to his abdomen and face.
A police investigation was launched in the aftermath of the accident and Rowand was charged by police with causing serious injury by dangerous driving.
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He denied the charges, saying he believed he had done enough to secure the trusses but was found guilty by a jury following a trial at Newcastle Crown Court.
Following the case, Mr Turnbull, who has two teenage children, said he would “never want another family to go through the despair and torment” that he has had to suffer since the incident.
He said: “After months of heartache for me and my family, the man responsible for my accident has been found guilty.
“No matter what happens, no amount of time will ever make up for the fact I have been left paralysed which has resulted in my life changing forever, as well as the day to day lives of my family members who care for me.
“I would never want another family to go through the despair and torment that we have all experienced since the day of this incident.
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“No sentence will ever give me the life back that I had before this day, but this is about holding an individual responsible for his dangerous actions.
“I would like to thank the people that have supported me and my family since the accident especially my family liaison officer who has been a great support to us all.”
In a victim impact statement to the court, Mr Turnbull said he had suffered psychologically as well as physically.
He said: “Being in a wheelchair, I’m so restricted in what I’m able to enjoy.
“It saddens me that the simplest things like mowing my lawn or taking the dog for a walk is something I will not able to do again.”
Rowand, 37, was transporting the trusses from his base in Catterick to the Forget Me Not Caravan Park in January 2016.
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He arrived at the site and unloaded some of the timber trusses on to the site. He then drove the lorry to a different part of the site but at this point some of the trusses fell off the back of the trailer.
Rowand, of Salveson Gardens, Edinburgh, was given a 20 month jail term, suspended for two years. He was also banned from driving for three years and ordered to do 210 hours unpaid work.
Judge Stephen Earl said: “This has been one of the most difficult sentencing exercises.
“Nothing I can do will alter the pain and suffering of Paul Turnbull and his family.
“It was the most tragic 30 seconds of his life and that of his family and that also applies to you to a certain extent, Mr Rowand. Nothing in this case is deliberate, you did not set out to harm anyone.”
The judge added: “But for the medical services and, frankly, the strength of character of Mr Turnbull, he might not have survived his event.”
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The court heard Rowand, a dad-of-five, had an “excellent military career” who had glowing references.
He suffers post traumatic stress disorder and is assessed as a low risk of re-offending.
Mr Turnbull was praised by police for his “heroic actions” on the day he was injured.
After the case, Motor Patrols Sergeant, Lynne McKevitt said: “Mr Turnbull has suffered life changing injuries as a result of this incident and it has had a devastating impact on him and his family.
“It was Mr Rowands responsibility to ensure that the trusses were properly secured to the lorry that day. When he drove into the caravan park he was putting lives in danger by failing in his responsibilities.
“The outcome could have been fatal for Mr Turnbull and had it not been for his own heroic actions in acting quickly to push a colleague from danger, the consequences could have been even more significant.
“Ultimately, this case should act as a stern warning to those working in this type of industry, about the importance of ensuring your load is properly secured before getting behind the wheel of your vehicle.”