A FATHER-of-four was dragged under a van for more than 30 feet after being knocked down outside a petrol station by a delivery driver, a court heard.

Motorists began sounding their horns to Mohammed Kashaf Khan as his Mercedes Sprinter continued along Manchester Road in Haslingden, with 43-year-old Matthew Taylor trapped underneath, Burnley Crown Court was told.

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Khan, 33, who came to a halt moments later, insisted he had not seen Mr Taylor as he emerged from the Jet petrol station near Bury Road on February 3, at around 8pm.

The victim suffered serious injuries and had a heart attack en-route to Royal Blackburn Hospital, where he was pronounced dead a short time later.

Judge Jonathon Gibson told Khan that his momentary lapse in concentration had subsequently had a “devastating impact” on Mr Taylor’s wife and children.

Several passers-by, who had seen the collision and helped to lift the van off Mr Taylor, alongside members of the emergency services, were commended by Judge Gibson yesterday.

Khan, of Highclere Road, Crumpsall, Manchester, had originally denied a charge of causing death by dangerous driving. But this was replaced by an offence of causing death by careless driving, which he pleaded guilty to on Tuesday.

He was given a 12-month community order, including 140 hours community service, with £1,200 costs, and a one-year driving ban.

Judge Gibson also ordered him to take an extended driving test before he is allowed back on the roads.

Emma Kehoe, prosecuting, said there were give way lines outside the entrances to the petrol station, which appeared to have faded. Pedestrians also had the right of way at each opening.

Khan had been filling up his van with diesel at the location and Mr Taylor was passing by, taking a walk he had completed many times before.

The van pulled out of the petrol station without stopping, hitting the pedestrian when he was halfway across and sweeping him under the vehicle, as the driver remained unaware, the court heard.

“Mr Khan then feels a bump and there are also horns being peeped by various other drivers who had seen the collision take place, and Mr Khan stops his vehicle,” said Ms Kehoe.

Judge Gibson said it appeared that Khan had been concentrating on traffic approaching along Manchester Road and had not seen Mr Taylor.

Shufqat Khan, defending, said: “You have a 33-year-old man who has led a law-abiding life who on that evening, without any intent, made a momentary mistake which has had devastating consequences and effects for the deceased’s family.”

The defendant, a father-of-two who had no previous convictions, had stopped at the scene and co-operated fully, answering all of the police questions, he told the court.

Mr Khan said the defendant had “simply not seen” the pedestrian on the night in question and there was no suggestion he had been driving either at speed or recklessly at the time.

Mr Taylor, who lived locally, had worked as a deputy estates manager for the Greater Manchester Fire Service for a number of years, helping to deliver new fire stations at Ashton and Rochdale, before taking up a new post at the Salford Royal Hospital.