Runaway Vehicle During Recovery Operation Causes Serious Injuries

Brief Summary

During a roadside vehicle recovery on a steep incline a vehicle rolled uncontrolled because it was not secured correctly. The recovery driver removed a primary restraint and placed the vehicle on skates without chocks or breakaway cables, which allowed it to roll and cause severe injuries to a member of the public who tried to help. The case resulted in prosecution for breach of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 and highlights avoidable failures in basic immobilisation and roadside systems.

What Was The Incident?

A recovery worker was recovering a vehicle on a steep hill when the vehicle began to roll. The worker had initially attached a winch to the front of the vehicle but later removed it, jacked the vehicle and put skates under the rear wheels. The rear wheels were not secured with wheel chocks and no breakaway cables were fitted. When the vehicle was lowered onto the skates there was nothing to stop it rolling down the incline. The rolling vehicle dragged the recovery worker underneath and then ran over a member of the public who intervened. The member of the public suffered multiple broken bones in the legs and fractures to the spine and continues to have long term pain and difficulty walking.

What Was The Outcome?

The recovery driver pleaded guilty to breaching Section 7 of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974. The driver received a 14 week prison sentence suspended for one year on 16 October 2026. The regulator found the worker failed to follow established recovery procedures and that the actions fell far below the standard expected of a competent and experienced recovery driver. The prosecution was brought by the regulator.

Key Points To Consider

Vehicle immobilisation methods. Review standard procedures for securing vehicles before any work is done and confirm that primary restraints such as winches remain in place until a safe alternative is fitted. Verify that use of skates or axle stands is only allowed when supported by appropriate wheel chocks and fail safe restraints.

Working on slopes and roadside safe systems. Carry out specific risk assessments for work on inclines and document a safe system of work for each task. Check that controls such as winch anchors chocks breakaway cables and clear exclusion zones are defined and enforced before lowering a vehicle.

Training competence and supervision. Review competence records and refresher training for recovery staff to confirm they follow procedures under pressure. Verify supervisors audit real jobs and intervene when workers deviate from established safe systems.

HSE Prosecution Link