A TANKER driver from Clitheroe, who was filmed driving along a motorway with a car trapped in front of his cab, has been cleared of any wrongdoing.

Half a million YouTube viewers have watched the clip showing John Tomlinson's 40-tonne tanker pushing a Renault Clio at high speed along the A1 (M) in Yorkshire.

Click below to watch the shocking footage

The incident happened when the Clio driver attempted to undertake Mr Tomlinson's tanker in an "ill-advised" manoeuvre, the Traffic Commission hearing was told.

Mr Tomlinson was praised for being "cool and calm" in a crisis during the hearing, before North West Traffic Commissioner Beverley Bell, to decide if he should keep his HGV licence.

Sean Joyce, Mr Tomlinson's solicitor, described how Rhona Jane Williams, a vet from York, was joining the southbound carriageway of the A1 (M) at junction 44 when the incident happened at around 8.30am on January 13.

Quoting her statements to police, Mr Joyce explained that her lane of the slip road merged into the middle lane of the motorway.

He added: "She saw Mr Tomlinson's HGV in the middle lane as she came off a slip road on to the carriageway.

"She was effectively performing an undertaking manoeuvre as she joined the lane."

Ms Williams told police she felt a "bump" as the vehicles came together and her car pivoted 90 degrees.

But Mr Tomlinson remained unaware of the incident and continued driving until a motorist in a 4x4 pulled ahead of the vehicles and began flashing his hazard lights.

Mr Joyce said: "Mr Tomlinson remains unable to offer any explanation simply because he was unaware of the collision.

"Taking into account he was driving a 44-tonne tanker, the Clio is a relatively small car.

"He was sat high up in the tractor unit which was extremely well insulated.

"He simply did not hear anything, see anything, or feel anything."

Mr Tomlinson brought his lorry to a stop on the hard shoulder and only became aware of Ms Williams in the Clio when he got out of the vehicle and tried to free her.

However, the door was jammed so he reversed his tanker about three feet to release the car.

The tanker was empty as Mr Tomlinson, a commercial driver for 29 years, was returning to his depot after making a delivery of silica sand.

Both drivers luckily emerged without injury and the collision was initially treated as a "damage only" incident by West Yorkshire Police.

Mr Tomlinson's employer, Cheshire-based Arclid Transport, initially allowed him to continue driving, but he was suspended on full pay in March and the investigation was re-opened when the YouTube clip came to light.

Traffic Commissioner Ms Bell said: "It is absolutely clear that you could not see the Clio as you were driving.

"What you found when you pulled into the hard shoulder must have come as a complete shock and I think what you did, in reversing your tanker to release the Clio, was of huge credit to you.

"You showed, in my view, coolness and a clear head. I feel it is entirely inappropriate for me to take away your licence."