19/10/2026
H&S notice:
A vehicle recovery driver has been sentenced after a Range Rover he failed to secure properly rolled out of control during a recovery operation in Bournemouth, dragging him beneath the vehicle before seriously injuring a member of the public who tried to help.
Sean Baker was attempting to recover the vehicle on a steep hill when it rolled away. The footage shows him being dragged beneath the Range Rover as it travelled downhill.
Kai Dransfield, who was on a break from work nearby, witnessed the incident unfold and described Mr Baker as “hanging on for dear life”. In attempting to help, Mr Dransfield was struck by the vehicle and pulled underneath it, suffering broken bones in his legs and fractures to his spine.
Our investigation found that the Range Rover had not been properly secured before being placed onto skates. The winch that would have prevented the vehicle rolling away had been removed and no chocks or breakaway cables were in place.
HSE Inspector Alexander Ashen said:
“Sean Baker was an experienced recovery driver with years of experience. 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.”
Read more:
16th October 2026 Press releaseProsecution 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...
