A LORRY driver who caused a crash that resulted in the passenger of a van having to be cut free by firefighters was “completely lost”, a court heard.

James Foreman, 28, was behind the wheel of a Scania lorry in Chiseldon shortly after 6pm on August 11 last year when he turned onto the A346 from Butts Road.

He saw the oncoming traffic but believed he had a large enough gap so turned onto the main road. He then applied his brakes, causing a Mercedes Sprinter van to drive into the back of him. The van's passenger was trapped in the wreckage and the road was closed by the emergency services for some time.

Foreman, of Wisbech, Cambridgeshire, pleaded guilty by post to driving without due care and attention.

In a statement read to Swindon Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday, Foreman said: “Due to multiple diversions in the area on the day I was completely lost and unfamiliar with the roads.

“When I pulled out of the junction I did also think there was enough room between myself and the oncoming vehicle. As I straightened out on to the road I heard the van beep his horn. I looked in my mirror and noticed he was gesticulating.”

Believing the van behind wanted to overtake and having noticed a traffic island up ahead, the trucker said he applied his brakes. The van had gone into the back of him.

Foreman said: “[I] offer my sincere apologies to all parties concerned.”

Magistrates fined him £420, imposed nine penalty points and ordered he pay £152 in costs and surcharge.