BRIAN McCusker wrote that he skidded into a ditch on a lonely stretch of road and how so many people came to his rescue (December 31).

What a good job he landed in a ditch on lonely road at the right time and not on a railway line at the wrong time with nobody to help.

If the circumstances and "the system" had conspired against him then he would be facing his life wrecked, in prison, for an accident.

Ian M Scott,

Farmanby Close,

Thornton le Dale,

Pickering.

...THE tragedy of the accident at Great Heck has divided people's opinion as to what should or should not happen to Gary Hart. I still have not been able to make up my mind on how I would have voted if on the jury.

All I do know is that there was a dreadful tragedy, many people's lives were destroyed and people are still hurt and angry. I sense that for some there is a requirement that some one must be punished, and punished to the maximum the law allows.

There is no getting away from the fact that Hart was irresponsible. Even if he did think he was OK to drive, he gave little thought as to the consequences of driving without having had any sleep. The jury found him guilty and therefore he must be dealt with accordingly.

I do not feel that a large prison sentence as the judge has indicated will do any good.

One positive thing to come out of this tragedy is the fact that people are more aware than ever as to the dangers of driving when not in the right state of mind to concentrate on what they are doing.

Mr G Alderson,

Maple Grove,

York.

Updated: 11:17 Friday, January 04, 2002