A man was hospitalised for six days after a HGV driver swerved into the opposite side of the road.

Kenneth Tomlinson, of Knowles Street, Radcliffe, who was driving the lorry, said he cannot explain his driving on the day.

“It really is inexplicable why you drove in the way you did,” a judge told the 64-year-old.

Tomlinson appeared before Chester Crown Court after pleading guilty to causing serious injury by dangerous driving.

Prosecuting, Callum Ross said the incident happened in July last year on the Daresbury Expressway in Sandymoor.

Mr Ross said that two men were victims of Tomlinson’s driving which consisted of him sharply swerving into oncoming traffic.

The victims were both in a HGV heading the opposite way to Tomlison as one man was a driving assessor and the other was being assessed.

The court heard how the driving assessor recalled hearing a "loud bang" and then not being able to breathe after being hit by Tomlinson.

His vision also went black and he could see white lights.

Mr Ross said that the man was helped out of the vehicle by onlookers and was laid on the grass verge.

He was taken to Warrington Hospital where it was discovered he had multiple fractures including to his ribs and vertebrae.

A victim impact statement was read to the court from the driving assessor in which it was heard how he was fit and healthy prior to the incident.

He said that at the time of the incident, he was due to climb Mount Kilimanjaro – a lifetime ambition of his for his 60th birthday. But due to his injuries he was not able to.

The man had to take 16 weeks off work due to his injuries and is still experiencing pain following the crash.

Meanwhile the other victim, who was being assessed, suffered bumps and bruises as well as "whiplash" type injuries.

CCTV footage showing views of both inside and outside of Tomlinson’s cab was shown to Chester Crown Court.

His driving was described as unremarkable in the lead up to the crash, but the footage showed him swerving sharply to the opposite lane as he approached Pitts Heath Lane roundabout.

Mr Ross said that Tomlinson was driving at or around the speed limit at the time.

Following the incident, Tomlinson told officers how he was not "eye tired" at the time and does not recall being particularly tired. But he said he could have been "mind tired".

Defending, Gareth Roberts said his client cannot explain his actions on the day and that he has racked his brain to try and understand what happened.

“He understands and accepts that he has committed a very serious offence,” Mr Roberts said.

“Mr Tomlinson is desperately sorry and he has shown deep remorse and regret for his actions.

“This was a mistake, a serious one, but not one caused by any disregard for the road or for road users or by a desire to drive dangerously.”

Concluding, Judge Michael Leeming said: “I have seen quality CCTV from outside and inside your vehicle, showing the progress of your HGV on Daresbury Expressway.

“At the very last moment, you veered to the wrong side of the road.

“It really is inexplicable why you drove in the way that you did.

“I noted that you could not bring yourself to look at the footage shown of the collision.”

Tomlinson was handed a 16-month prison sentence suspended for two years.

He must also complete 200 hours of unpaid work and has been disqualified from driving for two years.