Two Ryanair pilots were killed when a heavy goods vehicle smashed into the back of the Uber taxi they were travelling in on the M62 motorway, a court has heard. Jamie Fernandes, 24, and Matthew Greenhalgh, 28, died from unsurvivable injuries after their car was crushed between two lorries.
A Fatal Journey to Liverpool Airport
The tragedy unfolded in the early hours of July 10, 2024. Uber driver Rashid Mehmood had collected the two pilots from Luton Airport around 1.30am for a journey to Liverpool John Lennon Airport. Mr Mehmood later reported that his passengers fell asleep almost immediately, and the trip was uneventful until it reached the M62 near Warrington.
Due to an incident on the opposite carriageway, the westbound side of the motorway was temporarily closed to allow emergency services access. This caused a significant queue of stationary traffic. Mr Mehmood's Toyota Auris came to a stop behind one lorry. CCTV footage showed both vehicles were stationary for several seconds before the crash.
'Effectively on Autopilot': The Moment of Impact
Anthony Burns, 63, of Upton, Wirral, was driving his HGV westbound. Liverpool Crown Court heard on Tuesday, January 13, 2026, that Burns failed to notice the queue of traffic ahead, despite overhead gantry signs advising drivers to slow from 70mph down to 40mph due to the closure.
Prosecutor Damian Nolan described how Burns's lorry ploughed into the back of the stationary Uber at around 56mph, braking less than a second before impact. The taxi was crushed between the two lorries. While Mr Mehmood survived with serious injuries, including a broken shoulder and multiple rib fractures, Mr Fernandes and Mr Greenhalgh were killed instantly.
Burns later claimed he was "effectively on autopilot" and did not register the danger until it was "far, far too late". An eyewitness told police it was "like the driver had fallen asleep approaching the traffic".
Sentencing and Profound Remorse
Anthony Burns pleaded guilty to two counts of causing death by dangerous driving and one count of causing serious injury by dangerous driving. He was sentenced to 10 years in prison at Liverpool Crown Court.
Sentencing, Judge Medland noted the appalling, torrential rain on the night, which created dangerous spray and surface water. He stated Burns was driving at a "highly inappropriate" speed for the conditions and had failed to observe the queue of traffic on a "virtually straight road".
Burns was described as an experienced professional driver of over 30 years with a previously good record. He was not using his phone and was not under the influence of drink or drugs. His defence barrister, Michael Hayton KC, said Burns felt "genuine and profound remorse" and that his actions had caused a "major depressive episode".
The judge acknowledged the remorse and the defendant's previous good character but emphasised the catastrophic outcome. Burns must serve at least two-thirds of his sentence in prison and was banned from driving for 150 months (12.5 years). He will need to pass an extended retest before he can drive again.
The court paid tribute to the victims, Jamie Fernandes and Matthew Greenhalgh, describing them as "bright young men with significant careers and a long life ahead of them". Their families continue to endure what the judge described as an unimaginable grief.
