Imagine a split-second decision—or lack thereof—that shatters lives forever. That’s exactly what happened when a lorry driver’s fatal mistake led to the deaths of two promising Ryanair pilots. But here’s where it gets even more heartbreaking: the driver, Anthony Burns, failed to notice a complete standstill on the M62 in Cheshire until just one second before impact. On that fateful morning of July 11, 2024, his HGV plowed into a stationary taxi, crushing it between his vehicle and another lorry. The result? Two young pilots, Jamie Fernandes, 24, and Matthew Greenhalgh, 28, lost their lives instantly, while the taxi driver, Rashid Mehmood, survived with severe injuries—a miracle in itself.
Burns, 63, from Upton, Wirral, was sentenced to 10 years in prison after pleading guilty to two counts of causing death and one of causing serious injury by dangerous driving. And this is the part most people miss: despite extensive investigations, no clear reason—no alcohol, drugs, or phone use—was found to explain why Burns failed to react in time. The court heard that Mehmood, working a night shift, had picked up the pilots from Luton Airport, bound for Liverpool John Lennon Airport. Both pilots, Greenhalgh (a captain) and Fernandes (a first officer), had slept peacefully during the uneventful journey until the crash.
The tragedy unfolded near Junction 8 on the M62, where a lane closure had caused traffic to halt. The taxi, a Toyota Auris, was stopped behind a green Scania HGV driven by Dean Lary, who only realized something was wrong when he heard a deafening crunch and felt his vehicle jolt twice. CCTV analysis revealed Burns was traveling at 56mph (90km/h) until his brake lights flashed just one second before impact—far exceeding the reduced 40mph speed limit posted on warning signs.
PC Owens, one of the first responders, described the scene as so devastating that he initially couldn’t identify the taxi as a separate vehicle. Here’s where it gets controversial: while minor defects were found on Burns’s lorry, none were deemed significant enough to cause the crash. Yet, the question remains: How could a professional driver fail to notice stationary traffic in broad daylight?
Rashid Mehmood’s survival was nothing short of miraculous. Trapped in the wreckage, he managed to call for help, and rescuers were stunned to see him conscious and breathing. He suffered broken ribs, a fractured shoulder, and severe bruising but lived to tell the tale. In contrast, Fernandes and Greenhalgh sustained injuries so catastrophic that they had no chance of survival.
Burns, arrested the next day, remained silent during questioning, offering no explanation for his actions. He was banned from driving for 150 months and will need to pass an extended re-test to regain his license. Senior Crown Prosecutor Joseph Woodyatt summed it up poignantly: “Why Burns failed to brake remains a mystery.”
The families of the pilots shared heart-wrenching tributes. Greenhalgh, described as an adventurer who had recently married his wife, Hannah, was remembered for his zest for life and countless achievements. Fernandes, meanwhile, was celebrated as a loving son and grandson who had fulfilled his childhood dream of becoming a pilot. Ryanair honored their memory by announcing a plaque at their East Midlands Training Centre and a memorial award for top-performing cadets.
Now, here’s the question that lingers: Could this tragedy have been prevented with better driver training or stricter enforcement of speed limits? Or is this simply a devastating reminder of how human error can have irreversible consequences? Share your thoughts in the comments—this is a conversation worth having.
