By Staff Reporter

Last updated at 11:57, Tuesday, 10 March 2009

A Cumbrian woman who was left in a wheelchair after an horrific motorway smash has admitted causing death by dangerous driving.

The crash scene

Dianna Harrold was behind the wheel of a camper van that crashed through a central reservation on the M6, killing a father of two.

The 66-year-old, of Simonscales Lane, Cockermouth, pleaded guilty to the charge when she appeared at Warrington Crown Court.

The four-vehicle accident, on April 21 last year, led to the death of 31-year-old taxi driver Atta-ul Qudos.

Harrold, who the court was told had no recollection of what had happened, suffered serious leg injuries in the crash, resulting in her needing to use a wheelchair.

A stretch of the M6 was closed for more than six hours after the camper van, which was travelling north, struck a crash barrier and crossed over to the southbound carriageway.

Three cars, including the taxi driven by Mr Qudos, collided with Harrold’s camper van in the accident, which happened near the junction 21 Croft interchange, Warrington, at about 2.20pm.

Harrold was airlifted to Wythenshawe Hospital by Yorkshire Air Ambulance with serious leg injuries.

A 21-year-old man from Merseyside was treated for severe arm injuries and three other trapped motorists had to be freed from their cars by fire-fighters.

Harrold, who wept in court on Friday, will be sentenced at Chester Crown Court next month.

First published at 11:34, Tuesday, 10 March 2009
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk