Why did police go from crash site?

Police had been investigating the aftermath of an accident involving a BMW in Preston New Road, Mellor Brook, shortly before Michael Parker was knocked down by a Vauxhall Astra driven by Sajaad Munawar, 27.

Mr Parker, who had left his house to help after the previous crash, died almost instantly from massive head and chest injuries.

HGV driver Duncan Harris, of Preston New Road, told Lancaster Crown Court how he witnessed Munawar's Astra mounting a footpath behind a tow truck, then emerging on the other side and hitting a tree.

He said he raced out of his house and asked Munawar, who was on his way to work as a receptionist in the Blackburn area: "What the hell were you doing?"

Munawar just looked dazed and did not reply, the court heard.

But Mr Harris told the jury that he had earlier asked police why they were leaving before the tow truck had removed the BMW from the area.

Questioned by Munawar's counsel, Richard Clews, Mr Harris added: "The recovery of the vehicle was still ongoing. I would have thought that they should have stopped."

Mr Clews said that in Mr Harris's statement, he said he was told by a police officer that they were leaving the scene because of a shift changeover.

The court heard that the collision occurred close to the border between Lancashire police's Eastern and Southern Divisions at 5.30am. PC Christopher Hilton and Sgt Ian Boothby were due to finish their shift at 7am and left the scene at 6.30am, said Mr Clews.

PC Hilton who attended the scene, told the court that the police officers had left the scene of the BMW crash because Sgt Boothby had "deemed it was safe to do so."

PC Hilton denied sugges-tions by Mr Clews that the recovery vehicle presented more of a hazard, as it was jutting into the road, and said the tow truck had illuminated its head-lights.

Munawar, of Deepdale Road, Preston, denies causing Mr Parker's death by dangerous driving on November 11, 2006.

(Proceeding)