A Bradford lorry driver faces being jailed next month after a nine-ton fridge fell from his wagon, killing a grandmother as she cycled to work.

Mark Smith, 47, has admitted causing the death of 54-year-old Susan Russell when the refrigeration unit slid from the back of a truck crushing her as he negotiated a roundabout in Hull.

Smith, who admitted a charge of causing death by dangerous driving, will be sentenced at Huill Crown Court.

Speaking outside the court after he had pleaded guilty to the offence and speaking with tears in his eyes, Smith said: “I am heartbroken by what happened. Every day I think about what happened.

“I want the family to know I am sorry”

Smith, who runs a Bradford-based haulage firm from his home in Hunsworth Lane, East Bierley, took delivery of the load on August 20 last year after it had been brought to his yard from Liverpool the previous day.

He set off with the load on the back of his truck to Saltend – where the unit was to be delivered – but failed to secure it properly with enough strapping, the court was told.

It is understood a report compiled by police in the aftermath of the accident revealed the huge refrigerator unit should have had dozens of safety straps on it, but it only had two.

Several motorists had spotted the load hanging off one side of the lorry several miles before the crash site.

Smith was travelling at 20mph over a roundabout at about 7.30am when the accident happened.

Mrs Russell, who leaves behind two daughters and four grandchildren, was cycling from her home to a care home for the elderly where she worked.

Smith was remanded on unconditional bail until the next hearing.

Read more on this story in Wednesday's T&A