A father whose disabled son was killed as he tried to cross the M62 motorway within the aftermath of a crash has admitted to manslaughter.
Callum Rycroft, from Leeds, was described by his household in a devastating tribute paid earlier final month as a being a “beautiful happy soul” who was identified for bringing “light, laughter, and noise into any room”.
But the 12-year-old tragically misplaced his life in a hit-and-run incident on the M62.
Callum was a passenger in his father, Matthew Rycroft’s, Audi Q5 on the day he died on 5 August 2023, with the 36-year-old having been ingesting with household all through the day, in keeping with the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), earlier than driving off and subsequently crashing the car off an M62 slip exit highway for the Hartshead Moor Services in West Yorkshire.
Rycroft managed to exit the motorway, however failed to barter a pointy bend on the slip highway earlier than hitting the kerb and overturning the car, the CPS mentioned.
Courts heard this week that, Matthew and Callum – who was mentioned to have had no velocity consciousness as a consequence of his incapacity – then tried to cross the motorway carriageway moments later, in what prosecutors described as “reckless folly”.
Callum was then struck by an oncoming car, and was confirmed to have died immediately on the scene.
Yesterday, Matthew Rycroft pleaded responsible to manslaughter of his son, in addition to harmful driving, and for failing to supply a specimen.
According to the CPS, Rycroft’s dad and mom had urged him to not drive home from their residence in Huddersfield, the place he and Callum had been visiting, and had supplied the pair a spot to remain in a single day, however the father “paid no heed”, earlier than refusing and driving away.
“Callum was heard in the background saying ‘Dad… won’t stop’,” the CPS mentioned.
“[Rycroft’s] parents also tried to follow him, but Rycroft ignored them, and his Audi was seen driving erratically in Huddersfield, before joining the M62 at junction 25.”
As Rycroft appeared by way of a video hyperlink from jail to Leeds Crown Court yesterday – the place he entered his responsible pleas – the CPS continued in its account: “Rycroft and Callum then began to walk toward the main carriageway. Callum called his mother, and dialled 999, but Rycroft told him to end the call. They were seen to cross the motorway to the central reservation, and then for an unknown reason tried to run back.”
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Ultimately, Tom Neofytou from the CPS mentioned Callum “should have been under the protection of his father”, and described it as an “absolutely tragic incident”.
Matthew Rycroft is to be sentenced no sooner than 19 September.
Featured Image – West Yorkshire Police
