A cargo handler at Stansted Airport drove home after a 17-hour shift and was involved in an accident which killed another man.

A court heard on Tuesday how a fatal crash could have been caused by Nigel Wright falling asleep at the wheel.

Wright, 27, of Coggeshall Road, Braintree, denies causing the death of Anthony Morris by dangerous driving.

Work records showed he had completed a double night shift of 17 hours before the accident and, prior to that, had worked a 12-hour shift. In between, he had some nine hours sleep, the court heard.

Mr Morris, 46, of Stebbing Ford End, near Dunmow, died on September 13 last year after a collision with Wright's car on the A120 at Stane Street, Stebbing.

Robert Neill, prosecuting, told a jury at Chelmsford Crown Court the accident took place just before 7.30am as Wright was driving home towards Braintree. Coming towards him was Mr Morris in his Ford Escort and there was a collision.

Mr Morris was later pronounced dead at the scene while Wright suffered a severe head injury, a broken rib and had his right leg broken in three places. Both men had to be cut from their vehicles, the jury heard.

A police reconstruction of the accident found Wright's car had crossed on to the wrong side of the road and collided with Mr Morris for no apparent reason.

When Wright was seen by police later he told them he remembered nothing.

An expert on sleep-related accidents told the court the reason for the crash could have been caused by Wright allegedly falling asleep at the wheel and drifting across the road into the path of Mr Morris.

The jury heard Wright's job was a tough, physical one and he had only been doing it for three weeks. He had to get used to working nights which he had never done before.

In his evidence, Wright said: "I remember getting in my car. That is the last recollection I have. I'd have been worn out ready to go home but I felt OK."

"The next recollection since leaving work is my wife talking to me in the hospital ward. I drive past the scene every day. There's not a day when it doesn't enter my mind," he said.

The case continues

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