Professional Footballer involved in crash

[boiledegg]

http://news.sky.com/skynews/article/0,,30100-1318371,00.html

A 25-year-old professional footballer has been arrested after a crash on the M6 in which two children died this morning, Sky News sources say.

The children, both boys and aged eight and 10, were killed after the smash involving two cars shortly before 5.45am.

The man arrested was driving a black Range Rover and was not hurt in the crash.

He is being held on suspicious of causing death by dangerous driving.

The crash happened on the motorway's southbound carriageway near junction 16 in Staffordshire.

The dead children had been travelling in a silver Toyota Previa people carrier with two other children and two men.

Talking about the response by emergency services, a West Midlands Ambulance Service spokesman said: "On arrival, crews found two cars which had been involved in a collision. One of the cars had left the carriageway."

It was the people carrier that went down and embankment and hit trees.

The spokesman continued: "One child was confirmed dead at the scene. A second was taken on blue lights to the University Hospital of North Staffordshire. Staff at the hospital had been put on alert awaiting the arrival of the child who later died.

"A number of other people have also been taken to hospital."

One man is believed to be in a critical condition in hospital.

Witnesses are being asked to call the Central Motorways Police Group on 0121 626 1831.

Edited June 7, 2008 by boiledegg

[StateSix]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england...ire/7441622.stm

He plays for Plymouth Argyle according to the BBC. The club have made a statement acknowledging it, but he hasn't been named yet.

[kopite]

he hasnt "killed two kids"

hes been in an accident in which two children have been killed. think its their keeper who was in the accident

looks like it was two brothers, very sad

[thecatman]

Luke McCormick, a goalkeeper with Plymouth Argyle football club, is being held on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving.

Two boys aged eight and 10 were killed after the silver Toyota Previa they were travelling in collided with McCormick’s black Range Rover on the M6 in Staffordshire.

Extremely sad, my heart goes out to all concerned.

[mrtoad]

Very sad news, that two small young children with so much to look forward to, have had their lives cut short in a car accident. The police have obviously arrested a person in connection to this, to acertain what has happened. I hope that people will wait until the investigation has beeen concluded before judging Luke McCormick on what he has or hasn't done.

All in all a very sad incident, and condolences to friends and family of the children.

Maybe a change of thread title may be appropriate at this stage?

[Jockstar]

Maybe a change of thread title may be appropriate at this stage?

Done. Is that better? Or something else?

[Jockstar]

This from soccernet.

Plymouth player held after motorway crash

Updated: June 7, 2008, 5:32 PM UK

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The man arrested by police investigating a motorway crash that killed two boys is Plymouth goalkeeper Luke McCormick, according to Press Association sources.

The driver of a Range Rover was held by police after the boys, aged eight and 10, were fatally injured in a collision on the M6 in north Staffordshire this morning.

In a statement, Plymouth said: 'The club is aware of an incident involving one of our players that occurred on Saturday morning on the M6.

'As the incident is subject to police enquiries, the club feels it would be inappropriate to make any comment at this stage.'

Staffordshire Police would not identify the man held on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving, but sources have told the Press Association that he is McCormick.

The 24-year-old from Coventry is a former England youth international and was twice voted the club's young player of the season.

A Staffordshire Police spokeswoman said officers were still questioning a man held earlier today in connection with the collision, which involved his black Range Rover and a Toyota Previa people carrier.

And the force confirmed the 37-year-old Toyota driver taken to the University Hospital of North Staffordshire with serious injuries is the father of the two boys who died.

He remained in a serious condition in hospital this afternoon and his injuries are now not thought to be life-threatening.

The other occupants of the people carrier were a 49-year-old man and two boys aged 15 and eight.

It is thought the party were travelling from Manchester to Silverstone, in Northamptonshire, when the crash happened shortly before 5.45am near junction 16 of the motorway

[mrtoad]

Maybe a change of thread title may be appropriate at this stage?

Done. Is that better? Or something else?

Fine mate.

[thecatman]

The word from back home is that McCormick was on his way home from the wedding of Ipswich Town star David Norris (formerly of Plymouth) when his Range Rover was involved in a fatal crash on the M6 early on Saturday.

The brothers, aged eight and 10, died and their 37-year-old father was today in a serious condition in hospital.

The accident happened shortly before 6am Saturday, after Norris' wedding in his home town of Bolton in Greater Manchester.

Edited June 8, 2008 by thecatman

[mrtoad]

Player charged after crash deaths

Plymouth Argyle goalkeeper Luke McCormick has been charged after two brothers died in a crash on the M6.

Arron and Ben Peak, aged 10 and eight, died when the vehicle they were travelling in crashed with a Range Rover in Staffordshire.

Mr McCormick has been charged with two counts of causing death by dangerous driving, driving with excess alcohol and driving without insurance.

The boys' mother, Amanda Peak, said their lives had been "devastated".

The boys' 37-year-old father Philip is in hospital in a serious condition with fractures to his neck and back, broken ribs and bruising and swelling to his lungs.

He was driving the Toyota Previa people carrier when the crash happened between junctions 15 and 16 of the southbound motorway near Keele services at shortly before 0545 BST on Saturday.

The brothers and their father were travelling to Silverstone racing circuit for a day out.

'Parent's nightmare'

Too distressed to speak at a news conference on Sunday, a statement from Mrs Peak, 30, and her husband said that Arron "loved life, especially football, at which he excelled, and Ben was a happy, loving son and brother".

They said: "No parent should ever have to go through the nightmare that we have gone through.

"Nothing will ever compensate us for the loss we are feeling."

The parents said both boys were excited to be going to Silverstone and appealed to be left alone to come to terms with the "life-changing event that has devastated our lives".

Now that there is further information on this, I hope that the full force of the law is used. I think he may be looking at a hefty sentence if he is found guilty.

A really tragic incident which has killed two innocent children and left a family in ruins.

Luke McCormick - no insurance, excess alcohol and dangerous driving causing two deaths = <deleted>.

[boiledegg]

The mother was just at a press conference poor ladies life will be devastated for ever, and she still has to tell her husband.

Puts into perspective any little problems i may think i have.

[kopite]

Maybe a change of thread title may be appropriate at this stage?

Done. Is that better? Or something else?

Fine mate.

ill eat a huge slice of humble pie and say that the original thread title was correct. he was pissed, he deserves to be hung

[Prakanong]

If guilty, and it certainly looks that way he deserves the book thrown at him.

No bloody insurance!!!! - what chance have that poor family of getting anything now and the father has a broken neck and back - hope he recovers.

I know it will not bring back the poor kids but sue the arse off him - get 90% of his weekly salary for a good few years to come.

A friend of mine lost his two boys aged around 10 and 12 ansd he was seriously injured to a drunk driver one Sunday afternoon - guy was doing around 120 it was said in his TVR and that bastard died too.

[ThaiPauly]

What a sad story.

I remember something similar happening when some ex-Coventry Player killed someone in a car crash, I can't recall his name, but he did a runner at the scene.

He got jail time, but is now out and playing again for a non-league team I believe, ginger haired tattoed guy.

If McCormick was driving over the safe alcohol level (and is found guilty)I hope he gets life, he has devasted so many people's lives.

Footballers are NOT above the law, although some of them like to think they are.

[The Vulcan]

If guilty, and it certainly looks that way he deserves the book thrown at him.

No bloody insurance!!!! - what chance have that poor family of getting anything now and the father has a broken neck and back - hope he recovers.

I know it will not bring back the poor kids but sue the arse off him - get 90% of his weekly salary for a good few years to come.

A friend of mine lost his two boys aged around 10 and 12 ansd he was seriously injured to a drunk driver one Sunday afternoon - guy was doing around 120 it was said in his TVR and that bastard died too.

The Criminal Compensation Act will address this "problem". There's also the MIB (motorist insurance bureau) set up many years ago to address such issues. Basically, "they'll" go back to his last known insurers to pay up, and if there isn't any the above factors will be applied.

That's the only good thing about this very sad incident.

[taxexile]

8 June 2008

HIS PHONE WARNING

Luke McCormick took part in a police road safety campaign earlier this year to highlight the dangers of using a mobile phone while driving.

He demonstrated how difficult it was to save shots while holding his phone and said afterwards: "For goalkeeping you need two hands and when one is taken away it's twice as difficult. I was helpless to stop balls coming to the side where I was holding the phone.

"I'll never use a phone while driving now I've realised how tough it is to concentrate on two things at once."

the people.

[thecatman]

I remember something similar happening when some ex-Coventry Player killed someone in a car crash, I can't recall his name, but he did a runner at the scene.

He got jail time, but is now out and playing again for a non-league team I believe, ginger haired tattoed guy.

Lee Hughes is the name your looking for.

[Prakanong]

If guilty, and it certainly looks that way he deserves the book thrown at him.

No bloody insurance!!!! - what chance have that poor family of getting anything now and the father has a broken neck and back - hope he recovers.

I know it will not bring back the poor kids but sue the arse off him - get 90% of his weekly salary for a good few years to come.

A friend of mine lost his two boys aged around 10 and 12 ansd he was seriously injured to a drunk driver one Sunday afternoon - guy was doing around 120 it was said in his TVR and that bastard died too.

The Criminal Compensation Act will address this "problem". There's also the MIB (motorist insurance bureau) set up many years ago to address such issues. Basically, "they'll" go back to his last known insurers to pay up, and if there isn't any the above factors will be applied.

That's the only good thing about this very sad incident.

Thanks for the info - I was completely unaware of this the MIB or that they can make th last insurers pay up.

I have never learned to drive so have never needed insurance etc.

I thought criminal comp was limited to a not too large amount though?

[Macclad]

Its a truly shocking story.You just cant begin to imagine what the poor mother must be feeling.

I find it unbelievable that he had no insurance.....he can hardly plead poverty.....playing in the Championship he must be on at least 5k.a week.

As regards compensation,no amount of money will make up for what that family has lost but wouldnt it be nice if Plymouth arranged a pre season friendly against one of the top Premiership sides with the proceeds going to the family.

[The Vulcan]

If guilty, and it certainly looks that way he deserves the book thrown at him.

No bloody insurance!!!! - what chance have that poor family of getting anything now and the father has a broken neck and back - hope he recovers.

I know it will not bring back the poor kids but sue the arse off him - get 90% of his weekly salary for a good few years to come.

A friend of mine lost his two boys aged around 10 and 12 ansd he was seriously injured to a drunk driver one Sunday afternoon - guy was doing around 120 it was said in his TVR and that bastard died too.

The Criminal Compensation Act will address this "problem". There's also the MIB (motorist insurance bureau) set up many years ago to address such issues. Basically, "they'll" go back to his last known insurers to pay up, and if there isn't any the above factors will be applied.

That's the only good thing about this very sad incident.

Thanks for the info - I was completely unaware of this the MIB or that they can make th last insurers pay up.

I have never learned to drive so have never needed insurance etc.

I thought criminal comp was limited to a not too large amount though?

In this case the unfortunate scenario with the 2 boys is the perceived value of their loss. With an adult "breadwinner loss" the calculations to reinstate the dependents loss is relatively simple to calculate taking into account needs, income loss etc. The determining factor is based on stabilising the dependents lifestyle following the loss of the breadwinner.

With 2 youngsters these factors do not apply. Always a very sad scenario.

[toasted]

He's been given bail for seven days.

It's going to be interesting to see what happens to him. It sounds like he deserves to have the book thrown at him.

[The Vulcan]

And he turns up at court dressed as a "hooddie" - for Gods sake!

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2099465/Pl...-dead-boys.html

[mrtoad]

Professional footballer jailed for seven years for drink drive crash deaths of two young boys

Last updated at 12:47 PM on 06th October 2008

A drunken professional footballer was jailed for seven years today for killing two young boys as he drove "like an idiot".

Arron Peak, 10, and his brother Ben, eight, were on a dream day out when former Plymouth Argyle goalkeeper Luke McCormick ploughed into their car in his powerful black Range Rover.

McCormick, who was more than twice the drink drive limit as he drove home from a team-mate's wedding, finally admitted causing death by dangerous driving when he appeared at Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court this morning.

The 25-year-old also admitted a charge of driving with excess alcohol.

Pleaded guilty: Accused Luke McCormick arrives at court with his girlfriend

The brothers, from Partington in Manchester, were travelling along the M6 in Staffordshire when the crash happened shortly before 5.45am on June 7.

They were on their way to Silverstone racetrack for a day out with their father Phil Peak and three friends when their Toyota Previa people carrier was hit.

Mr Peak, 37, was at the wheel of the Toyota and was seriously injured in the crash.

The boys' mother, Amanda Peak, sobbed loudly as the court heard details of the crash today.

McCormick, dressed in a dark suit, kept his head bowed and covered his face with his hand as it was revealed he told eyewitnesses at the scene: "I am so sorry, I'm sorry. I just fell asleep. I fell asleep, I'm sorry."

Prior to the collision, other motorists noticed McCormick "driving like an idiot" and estimated his speed at around 90mph, the court heard.

After the crash, he was found to have 74 micrograms of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath. The legal limit is 35 micrograms of alcohol per 100 millilitres of breath.

Coventry-born McCormick, who was confronted by angry relatives of Ben and Arron when he arrived at court today, is a former England youth international and was twice voted Argyle's young player of the season.

His contract with Argyle was cancelled by "mutual consent" a month after the crash.

In a victim statement submitted to the judge, Mr and Mrs Peak, told how their lives had been "totally devastated" by the deaths of their only children.

The couple wrote: "Our whole lives have been shattered ... all our hopes and dreams for the future have been taken away from us."

The court heard that McCormick sobbed "uncontrollably" at the police station after his arrest.

John Jones, defending, said McCormick had become introverted and suffered from nightmares and flashbacks of the crash.

At work: McCormick in goal

He said: "He was a professional footballer with a potentially glittering future.

"His career would have developed; the rewards in every sense of the word would be limitless.

"That was lost and indeed lost forever.

"The Luke McCormick who appears before you today is a shadow of his former self."

Judge Paul Glenn jailed McCormick for seven years and four months.

The maximum penalty is 14 years.

McCormick could have admitted the offences at a previous hearing but chose not to, forcing Ben and Arron's family to return to court today.

McCormick's contract with Plymouth Argyle was cancelled by 'mutual consent' on July 22, according to the club.

A sad, sad story, and worse was that McCormick decided not admitt the offences in an earlier hearing, heaping more pain on the family of the dead children. 7 years for two lives, still seems a little light in my opinion. A waste of two young lives.

As for McCormick, I have no sympathy for him, he has acted like an idiot and was two times over the DD limit, so he deserves to have a long sentence. It's probably the end of his career, but you never know.

[ThaiPauly]

Just because he is (was) a pro footballer he should not expect preferential treatment...all that <deleted> about his glittering future blah blah blah, I too have absolutley NO sympathy for the <deleted>....IMO 7 years is way to short a sentence for the carnage that HE created.

I hope his life in jail sucks big time

[Mossfinn]

The maximum penalty is 14 years.

What do you have to do to get 14 years?

[imaneggspurt]

What a waste, all round

[toasted]

According to BBC radio he could be out in three and a half years. The family said through a policeman that the sentence was "offensive".

A terrible waste all round, but we know whose fault it was, and why hasn't he been punished with the maximum sentence? This was a chance to really show that this kind of irresponsible behaviour will not be tolerated. Three and a half years with good behaviour, and then the poor children's family may have to face seeing this guy playing on TV. Sick.