"No sentence could ever fill the void left in the lives of Tanya’s loved ones" - Tributes have been paid to a much-loved nurse who tragically died in a collision.
Tanya Forrest, 51, was driving with her mum in the passenger seat of her Ford Ka on the A189 Spine Road, in Cramlington, Northumberland. Tanya had called NHS on 111 on a bluetooth device to order a prescription for mum, Sandra, when the call operator told her to stop somewhere safe to continue the call. But she stopped in the middle of the nearside lane of the dual carriageway.
A number of other cars were able to drive around her but delivery driver Kenneth Wilson had taken his eyes off the road for a crucial six seconds as he fumbled in his bag for a drink. He didn't see the Ford Ka or that other vehicles had driven around it and he smashed into the back of it.
Much-loved nurse Tanya died at the scene while her mum suffered devastating injuries. On Friday, Wilson, 55, who has no previous convictions, was sentenced to 28 months imprisonment and was banned from driving for three years and eight months.
PC Steve Raeburn, of Northumbria Police’s motor patrols department, said: “This is an absolutely tragic case that reinforces the potential consequences of driving without due care or attention.
“Wilson’s lapse in concentration as he reached for a drink out of his bag has resulted in an absolutely catastrophic outcome. My thoughts go out to Tanya’s family and friends who continue to battle with the pain and anguish ever since her death.
“Had Wilson have been paying attention, he should have been able to recognise and respond to the stationary vehicle that had pulled over at the side of the carriageway. He had sufficient opportunity to avoid the collision – but failed to do so.
“No sentence could ever fill the void left in the lives of Tanya’s loved ones, but I hope this outcome and seeing the person responsible for her death convicted at court can offer some comfort.
“We all have a duty to drive in a safe and lawful manner in order to protect all road users. We will continue to seek effective justice against anybody who flouts the law and endangers the lives of others while behind the wheel of a vehicle.”
Following Friday’s sentencing, Tanya’s family issued a heartfelt tribute to her. They said: “There were two things Tanya loved above anything, her family, and her vocation. We loved her and there are no words adequate for the deep grief and sorrow we feel at her untimely passing.
“She was a proud, dedicated, and skilled nurse. If she had not been killed in November 2019, she would have been on the front line against Covid-19, standing shoulder to shoulder with her colleagues in the NHS, caring for patients and working long hard hours to help eradicate this pandemic.
“It is not just her family that have felt her loss, the world will be forever lopsided because she is no longer part of it.
“We would like to thank the NHS, Tanya's other family, especially the team at the Great North Air Ambulance, Northumbria Specialist Emergency Care A&E and the RVI Trauma and ICU Team who saved our Mam's life against all odds and to Graeme Harrison, Chaplain at NSECC for caring for us and her grieving colleagues.
“Northumbria Police and the Crown Prosecution Service have worked extremely hard in order to reach this outcome. We are forever grateful for their diligence and support.”
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