ONE of the men involved in the Lansdown tipper truck tragedy in Bath that claimed the life of a four-year-old girl and three men is seeking to have the charges against him dropped.

Phillip Potter, 19, was driving the HGV tipper truck which collided with Mitzi Steady, from Weston, in Lansdown Lane on February 9, last year.

Potter, of Little Middle Green Farm, Dauntsey, is charged with one count of causing Mitzi's death by dangerous driving.

He also faces a further count of the same charge in connection with the deaths of Swansea men Stephen Vaughan, 34, and Philip Allen, 52, as well as 59-year-old Robert Parker from Cwmbran, who all died when the car they were in was crushed by the truck driven by Potter.

Potter is also accused of dangerous driving causing the serious injury of pedestrian Karla Brennan and Mitzi's grandmother, Margaret Rogers, who was leading Mitzi across a pedestrian crossing when the pair were hit by the HGV.

Potter appeared in Bristol Crown Court today alongside two other men who have also been charged in relation to the tragedy.

The appeal was not heard at Bristol Crown Court today, and Potter was told that his application for dismissal would be heard at a later date.

Matthew Gordon, 29, of Chestnut Farm, Dauntsey, was at the wheel of another tipper truck when the collision happened and is accused of aiding or abetting Potter in causing the deaths of Mitzi, Mr Parker, Mr Allen and Mr Vaughan.

Gordon is also charged with aiding or abetting Potter in causing injury to Ms Rogers and Ms Brennan and faces a further count of driving an HGV dangerously en route to the scene of the crash.

Potter was working for Gordon's firm at the time of the incident.

Mechanic Peter Wood, 55, of Brooklands, Chippenham, faces two counts of manslaughter.

The first charge relates to the death of Mitzi, and the second to those of Stephen Vaughan, Philip Allen and Robert Parker.

In court today, Potter, Gordon and Wood spoke only to confirm their names and had their bail extended unconditionally by Judge Neil Ford.

A four-week trial is expected to take place before a High Court Judge at the end of the year, starting on November 21 and due to end before Christmas.