A LORRY driver who blamed a sneeze for a crash that killed three members of a family has been cleared of causing death by dangerous driving.

But Neil Margerison, who described his 40-tonne HGV colliding with a line of traffic as "a small mistake," has been fined £2,000 after being found guilty of a lesser offence.

Margerison, 23, of Low Farm, Ribchester Road, Clayton-le-Dale, was also banned from driving for three years and ordered to pay £1,000 costs.

Flt Lt Neville Rees, 43, his wife Karen, 41, and their son Andrew, 11, died after their car was crush-ed on the A17 in Lincolnshire on January 5 last year.

It was so badly damaged that some witnesses didn't know it was there.

The verdict has shocked the victims' family.

Speaking outside Lincoln Crown Court after the case, Flt Lt Rees's brother, Noel, 48, who had travelled from Devon, said: "I'm absolutely devastated.

"I thought it was a clear case of death by dangerous driving.

"It is something we have to live with for the rest of our lives, and I hope he does as well. It is a life sentence for me and all the members of the family.

"Sadly, nothing can change what happened, and it is impossible for anyone to imagine the impact this had on our families."

Beryl and Peter Marsh, Mrs Rees' parents, were not at court but expressed their disappointment at the verdict in a statement through police.

They said: "We feel there is some doubt whether justice has been done.

"But we accept the verdict and realise our family can not be brought back."

The jury cleared Margerison of three counts of causing death by dangerous driving after more than six hours' deliberation but found him guilty of careless driving by a 10-1 majority.

Sentencing Margerison, Judge Michael Heath stressed his powers were limited - despite what he called the "devastating consequences" of the tragedy.

The court heard how the accident happened at around 10.55am after a box van travelling at the front of a queue of traffic slowed to a near halt.

The Rees family car was squashed between Margerison's lorry and another truck near RAF Cranwell, Lincolnshire, where Flt Lt Rees trained flying instructors.

Michael Fowler, prosecuting, said Margerison's lorry was travelling at more than 17mph when it hit the Peugeot, allegedly proving he was not paying attention.

The court was told that Margerison made no mention of sneezing when quizzed by police 90 minutes after the smash.

Giving evidence, he said: "I should have stopped sooner. But I sneezed, and my reactions were slow."

John Benson QC, defending, said: "For a substantial period he was unable to work because of the emotional effect it had on him, but he has returned to three days a week."

The dead couple's other son, David, 14, a pupil at Carre's Grammar School, Sleaford, Lincolnshire, was with friends at the time of the accident.

Mr Rees' brother added: "I hope my nephew is able to live his life peacefully and fulfil his dreams."

Inspector Tony Mendham, who led the inquiry into the crash, refused to comment on the outcome of the case.

He said: "Sadly, nothing can change what happened and the life-changing impact it had on everyone who knows the family."