A RIBBLE Valley lorry driver is facing a charge of causing the death of three members of the same family in an horrific road smash.

Neil Margerison, 23, of Ribchester Road, Clayton-le-Dale, has been charged with causing death by dangerous driving following the crash, which left a teenage boy an orphan.

Flight Lieutenant Neville Rees, his wife Karen and their son Andrew, 11, died on January 5 this year after their car was crushed by two lorries on the A17 in Lincoln near to RAF Cranwell, where they lived.

At the time of the crash police said that the Rees family were travelling behind a white, Slovakian-registered lorry, which for some reason braked sharply.

Officers told how they believed the Rees' red Peugeot estate went into the back of the lorry and another lorry travelling behind crashed into them.

The second lorry, which police said was driven by Margerison, burst into flames and the family's car was crushed under it.

All three family members were declared dead at the scene.

They were survived by son David, 14, who was elsewhere with friends at the time of the accident.

Earlier this year, the Czech driver of the first lorry, Oldrich Frank, 29, pleaded guilty to dangerous driving and was sentenced to a day's jail and a year's driving ban for his part in their deaths.

Margerison's case was adjourned by magistrates in Sleafod, Lincs, yesterday.

He was excused from appearing in court because papers in the case had not yet been provided to the defence.

Mr Rees was a flight instructor at RAF Cranwell and the base's commander, Group Captain Steve Townsend, paid tribute to the family after their deaths.

He said: "Flight Lieutenant Nev Rees, his wife Karen and their sons David and Andrew were an integral part of the community at RAF Cranwell.

"The sudden deaths of Nev, Karen and Andrew have been a major shock to everyone at the station.

"As well as being a dedicated family man, Flt-Lt Rees was a highly professional Royal Air Force officer and pilot.

"The tragic departure of Nev, Karen and Andrew has left a large gap in the Cranwell community and they will be sorely missed.

"Our sympathies and support are now being extended to the surviving son David and his immediate family."

The case was adjourned until Tuesday.