The brave wife of a man killed alongside his passenger in a tragic accident on the A59 spoke of how her “world shattered” when she received the news of his death.

Jackie Snape took to the witness stand at Burnley Crown Court on Thursday (February 22) as Christopher Kavanagh, the HGV driver responsible for her husband Thomas Snape’s death, was due to be sentenced.

The son of Margaret Dearden, 63, who was also killed in the same crash as she was travelling as a passenger in Mr Snape’s car, offered his family’s forgiveness saying it was “what his mother would have wanted”.

Kavanagh, who was nearing retirement after a lengthy, unblemished career as a driver, was travelling in his articulated lorry along the A59 in Sawley on October 6, 2022, when a “momentary lapse of concentration and judgement” resulted in a head-on crash.

Mr Snape and his passenger Margaret Dearden were travelling in the opposite direction to Kavanagh, when he “instinctively” pulled out in front of them to try and avoid crashing into the back of a van, which was indicating to turn right and had stopped in the middle of the carriageway.

Sadly, Kavanagh’s lorry crashed head-on with Mr Snape’s car, killing both him and Mrs Dearden.

It was heard that Mr Snape, known as ‘Tommo’, married Mrs Snape in 2005 after they met in 1998.

Prosecuting barrister, Paul Brookwell told the court that ‘Tommo’, a keen motorcyclist, became a stepdad to her children and relished his role as grandfather to their kids.

He supported Everton Football Club and worked in social care throughout his life.

Reading just part of her heartfelt victim personal statement, Mrs Snape said: “On October 6, 2022, my life changed, my world shattered and my heart broke.

“It was not just Tommo’s life that was taken that day but my life too.

“The future we had and the life we had together had gone.

“He usually worked in the evenings, and he would call or text me around 5 or 6pm, just a short call or text.

“Sometimes I would miss it so would call him back.

“That evening there was no call or text. I tried to call him but nothing.

“By 8pm my stomach was churching, and I knew there was something wrong.

“I then saw a torch light outside my front door, and I knew something terrible had happened as people we knew usually used the back door.

“I thought I was going to vomit as the news was being told to me by the police. I couldn’t take it in.

“I kept thinking they had made a mistake.

“I experienced flashbacks of the police coming to my house for some time.

“I can’t put it down on paper how much I miss him. I miss having him to talk to.

“I walk into the house and he’s not there and he never will be.

“The house is always tidy, but I would give anything to find his plates in the sink.

“I miss laughing with him, laughing at the silly things couples laugh at together.

“I don’t laugh much now.

“The thing that hurts most was that I didn’t get to say goodbye. Tommo died at the side of the road.

“I wasn’t there to hold him or comfort him.

“The next time I saw him was on a mortuary slab with tubes coming from him. I will never, ever forget that image.

“The last time I saw him was in the funeral directors and while it looked like Tommo, it wasn’t him.

“It was not only Tommo’s life taken that morning, I will never be the same person.

“I scream for him to come back, trying to make bargains - with who I don’t know - to try and get him back.

“This isn’t about me though, it’s about Tommo, my husband, a stepfather, grandad, brother friend…there’s a big Tommo shaped hole…I want him to come back, and I want this never to have happened.”

READ MORE: Darwen HGV driver caused death of two in tragic A59 accident

Part of Richard Dearden’s victim personal statement, which was read out in court by Mr Brookwell, stated: “My mother was a remarkable woman, mother, and wife, who cared about others.

“For over 15 years she worked as a palliative care nurse in the community.

“Outside of work she fought for the best care for my brother Paul who has additional needs.

“She also helped families of children with autism and learning difficulties.

“I miss the support of my mum when I need someone to chat things through with.

“My father, Mark, is missing her too, it’s been upsetting and shocking for us as a family.

“We are very much still processing this reality and it’s hard to explain further in words.

“She was one of a kind and we miss her smiling nature.

“In support of honouring her character, my family do not believe that my mother would have wanted the lorry driver to go to prison.

“We do not want this at all. We also understand he was a few months away from his retirement, and we also believe he took the appropriate checks on the day of the accident.

“Although we do not know him, he is a human being first, and none of us are infallible.

“The court proceedings must have caused a lot of stress for Chris, and he also has a family and we believe this is more than enough justice for what happened.

“My father, brother and I also forgive him for what happened, and I hope he can extend that forgiveness to himself.

“I hope he can enjoy his retirement in peace, and I think this is an accurate reflection of what my mother would have wanted.”

Kavanagh, 69, of Martin Drive, Darwen, pleaded guilty to causing the deaths by careless driving of Thomas Snape and Margaret Dearden at Blackburn Magistrates’ Court in January.

On Thursday he was sentenced to eight months in prison suspended for 18 months.

Kavanagh must also complete 15 rehabilitation activity days and 140 hours of unpaid work, and is disqualified from driving for 12 months.