- CCTV shows recovery driver being dragged beneath runaway Range Rover on Bournemouth hill
- Member of the public suffered broken legs and spinal fractures after trying to help
- HSE investigation found recovery driver failed to secure two-tonne vehicle before it rolled out of control
A vehicle recovery driver has pleaded guilty after a runaway Range Rover he failed to secure rolled down a hill in Bournemouth, dragging him beneath the vehicle before crushing a member of the public who attempted to help.
Sean Baker, a vehicle recovery driver for GRS Recovery Bournemouth, pleaded guilty to breaching Section 7 of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 following the incident on Exeter Crescent, Bournemouth.
CCTV footage shows Sean Baker being dragged beneath the Range Rover after it suddenly rolled away during a recovery operation on a steep hill.
Nearby, Kai Dransfield was on a break from his job at TGI Fridays when he witnessed the incident unfold.
He saw the Range Rover begin to roll down the hill with Sean Baker trapped beneath it and later described him as “hanging on for dear life”.
Mr Dransfield said:
“He made eye contact with me, and my first thought was to just grab him to try and help him.”
In attempting to help, Mr Dransfield was struck by the vehicle and pulled underneath it.
The Range Rover rolled over both of his legs, causing serious injuries including multiple broken bones in his legs and fractures to his spine.
More than two years later, Mr Dransfield continues to suffer constant pain and has difficulty walking.
HSE found that Sean Baker had initially attached a winch to the front of the Range Rover, which would have prevented the vehicle rolling away if the handbrake was released or failed.
However, he later removed the winch, jacked up the vehicle and placed skates beneath the rear wheels.
The wheels were not secured with chocks and no breakaway cables were attached. As a result, when the vehicle was lowered onto the skates there was nothing in place to prevent it rolling away down the incline.
This resulted in Sean Baker becoming trapped beneath the vehicle and being dragged down the road as it rolled downhill.
The investigation concluded that Sean Baker failed to take reasonable care for his own safety and that of others by not following established recovery procedures. HSE found that his actions fell far below the standard expected of a competent and experienced recovery driver.
HSE guidance states that all risks must be properly assessed and safe systems for working at the roadside prepared. Further guidance can be found here: Essential precautions for working roadside.
Sean Baker pleaded guilty to breaching Section 7 of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974. Sean Baker received 14-week prison sentence, suspended for one year at Bournemouth Crown Court on Friday 16 October 2026.
After the hearing, HSE inspector Alexander Ashen said:
“Sean Baker was an experienced recovery driver. Failing to properly secure a vehicle weighing more than two tonnes on a steep hill was a fundamental error.
“This happened in a busy town centre, close to restaurants and car parks, with vehicles, motorcyclists and pedestrians regularly passing through the area.
“Sean Baker’s failings were substantial, they exposed everyone nearby to risk and resulted in a member of the public, who stepped in to help, suffering life-changing injuries.
This HSE prosecution was brought by HSE enforcement lawyer Andrew Siddall and paralegal Officer, Gabrielle O’Sullivan.
Further Information
- The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is Britain’s national regulator for workplace health and safety. We are dedicated to protecting people and places, and helping everyone lead safer and healthier lives.
- More information about the legislation referred to in this case is available.
- Further details on the latest HSE news releases are available.
- Guidance on essential precautions for working roadside can be found here: https://www.hse.gov.uk/mvr/roadside-repair/essential-precautions.htm
- HSE does not pass sentences, set guidelines or collect any fines imposed. Relevant sentencing guidelines must be followed unless the court is satisfied that it would be contrary to the interests of justice to do so. The sentencing guidelines for health and safety offences in England can be found here and those for Scotland here.