Dad who lost family cleared of blame

From the archive, first published Tuesday 10th Apr 2007.

A MAN who lost his wife and two children in a horrific holiday car smash will not face criminal charges over their deaths.

A Spanish judge cleared Nicholas Austin, 51, of any blame for the three-car pile-up in Menorca, which left him fighting for life and killed his wife Sally, 49, and children Samuel, 13, and Claire, 11.

A 19-year-old, from the Spanish island, will face trial for the triple manslaughter of Mr Austin's family.

Mr Austin, of The Warren, Billericay, said: "I am aware a local man is to be tried, but at this stage I do not want to make any comment."

The Austin family had been holidaying in the Balearic island last July and were in their hired Ford Ka, driving between the towns of Ciudaela and Ferrerias when the tragedy happened.

A car carrying the Blackwell family, from Bracknell, Berkshire, was travelling behind the Austins, when it was hit from behind by a third car.

The smash shunted the Bracknells' car into the back of the Austins' vehicle with such force that it ripped the car in half.

Mrs Austin and her children were killed instantly, while Mr Austin was left battling for his life with serious spinal injuries.

He was in a Spanish hospital for several weeks before returning home.

One key eyewitness was left so traumatised by the carnage they had to be given counselling before they could be interviewed by police.

The Blackwell family - dad Paul and mum Rebecca, both 43, and their children Sebastian, five, and two-year-old Francesca - escaped with minor injuries.