Driver Passed Advanced Test ‘Days Before’ Weston Crash

It’s been revealed that the driver of the tipper truck involved in the fatal crash in Weston on Monday had recently passed an advanced test to drive larger heavy goods vehicles.

Photo courtesy of Ali Vowles

19-year-old Philip Potter, from Wiltshire, was driving the tipper truck full of aggregate down Lansdown Lane when he lost control of the lorry.

It is understood that Potter passed his LGV licence, which was needed to drive the vehicle that crashed, some months before the incident, and he has long-term experience with heavy farm vehicles.

He recently passed a test to drive more advanced vehicles, heavier than the 32-tonne Scania truck involved which hit a number of vehicles before overturning.

It is not yet known what caused the vehicle to go out of control, and police are continuing their investigations.

Local residents have been paying tribute to the four people, including four-year-old Mitzi Rosanna Steady, who were killed at the scene.

The family of the Mitzi released a short tribute, which said: “Mitzi Rosanna Steady aged four, loved and missed by us all.”

She had been walking with her grandmother, who remains in a critical condition in hospital.

The Moravian Church offered for floral tributes to be placed next to the memorial tree, which is also part of Weston Free Church.

The Council has placed books of condolence in Weston Library and Bath Library as a more permanent way for people to show their respects.

Police have said that early witness accounts suggest the driver was trying to avert an accident.