My 14 year old son was killed by a truck driver on Facebook, his video is the only thing I lost

A grieving father is urging drivers not to use their phones while driving after his son was killed in a horrific crash. He posted a heartbreaking video of his son laughing as he celebrated his birthday.

Andy O’Dell’s son Joe Cairns, 14, was killed when lorry driver James Majury rammed a school van on the M58 in Lancashire in January 2019.

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Majury, who was using his phone throughout the journey, also killed emergency worker Anne Kerr, 50, and injured five others in the crash.

He was sentenced to eight years and ten months in prison for fatal traffic offences and two years and eight months for causing serious injury.

Andy, 55, a father of three, says his son’s death was “completely preventable” and is now urging motorists to “think twice” before using their phones while driving.

Andy, a support worker for adults with learning disabilities from Bury, Lancashire, said: “I lost my whole world because of James Majury’s selfish actions.

I lost my whole world because of the selfish actions of James Majury.

Andy O’Dell

“If he had paid attention while he was behind the wheel, Joe would still be here today.

“But he was robbed of a future, and we were robbed of the memories we could have made with our boy.”

Andy described his son as “a cheeky guy” who loved telling jokes.

Joe was diagnosed with autism at the age of 10, but has come to accept his neurodiversity and thrives in his new school, Pontville School in Ormskirk.

Joe loved pugs and dreamed of one day becoming a dog walker.

Andy said: “He was just starting to understand he had autism and he was looking forward to the future.

“All he wanted to do was walk his dogs.

“He loved Doctor Who and Avengers – and that was his life and his loves.”

Joe was on his way to school on January 8, 2019 when Majury’s Mercedes truck collided with the Vauxhall Vivaro minibus.

Cell phone records showed that Majury was in his truck looking at Facebook and playing the fantasy game Hustle Castle just before the crash.

He had also been on the Sky Sports app and sent a series of text messages during his journey.

The Preston Crown Court ruled he had just half a second to react before the crash.

Most common illegal driving activities

Below is a list of reckless driving offenses and the fines and penalties you may receive for them.

• Using a phone while driving
  A cheeky glance at your phone screen will earn you six penalty points on your driving licence and a £200 fine
  New drivers can lose their license if they are caught within two years of obtaining it
• Driving too fast
  Fast and Furious fans will receive a minimum of three points and a fine of £100
• Driving through a red light
  This offence will result in three points and a fine of £100
• Seize center lane
  It is reckless driving and the police will give you a £100 fine with three penalty points
• Company
  This could potentially result in three points on your driving licence and a £100 fine

Andy reflects on the day of the accident and says: “Joe’s mum called me to say the school had contacted her to say the minibus was running late and they would keep us updated.

“I wasn’t worried, I thought they would be stuck in traffic.

“A few hours later I got a call from the person who had become my family liaison. He said he had to come over.

“I thought Joe had an accident and broke his leg or arm.

It was devastating and destructive.

Andy O’Dell

“He opened the door and I knew Joe was dead. He didn’t have to tell me because I could see it in his face.

“It was devastating, it was devastating.”

After the conviction, Andy was given the opportunity to meet his son’s killer as part of the restorative justice program.

He could not reveal what was discussed during their meeting in Kirkham prison, but he felt he ‘got the answers he needed’.

I was really angry after the trial. I thought the sentence was a joke and that Joe’s killer came across as cold and heartless.

Andy O’Dell

Andy explains: “I was really angry after the trial. I thought the sentence was a joke and that Joe’s killer came across as cold and heartless.

“I wasn’t sure if I wanted to meet him at first, but decided to go anyway. I was shocked at how helpful it was.

“It helped to see how remorseful he really was.”

Five years later, Joe’s family is still trying to cope with the loss.

Andy hopes that by sharing his grief he can prevent other families from experiencing the same grief.

It was incredibly difficult to process that Joe’s death could have been completely prevented.

Andy said: “It was incredibly difficult to come to terms with the fact that Joe’s death could have been completely prevented.

“I am still processing the loss of my son.

“We do everything we can to remember him. His school has created a gold pug trophy in his memory. Each year the pug goes to a student who has overcome adversity.

“Joe loved KitKats and if he was good, he would get a KitKat from school every Friday as a reward.

“They used to call it ‘KitKat Friday’, but now I treat myself to it at the end of the week. It makes me feel close to my son.

“I really hope Joe’s story makes people think twice about using their phones while driving.

“So much devastation has been caused by something that could have been so easily prevented.”

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