Lightning strikes twice in the Sutton family as Andrew Sutton suffers the same accident as his father 2 decades after

Gary Sutton never expected his son Andrew to endure the same life-altering accident that left him a quadriplegic two decades prior.

In 2000, Gary was driving a load of sugar when a blowout caused his truck to roll. Andrew was only eight years old at the time but became a driver himself despite his father’s accident.

Twenty years later, Andrew’s truck veered down an embankment, leaving him wheelchair-bound just like his father.

Both men reflect on the inherent risk that many drivers may not consider before getting behind the wheel, as well as the mystery that still surrounds their accidents.

Gary, 58, notes that the trucking industry often puts people with little experience in control of these vehicles.

He believes it’s not enough to put someone through a two-month program and expect them to know what they’re doing.

Both men worked for truck companies at the time of their accidents, clocking lengthy hours on the road, often driving interstate and overnight.

Work-related driving incidents claimed the lives of 17 workers in Victoria last year, with truck and delivery drivers like Gary and AJ making up the majority of fatalities.

Since the beginning of 2019, 64 workers have died as a result of road transport incidents in Victoria.

WorkSafe, the organization responsible for workplace safety, emphasizes that whenever a worker is on the road as part of their role, that vehicle is considered their workplace.

Employers must ensure the vehicle being used is safe and without risks to health, while workers must take reasonable care for their own health and safety.

Gary and AJ do not know exactly how their accidents occurred, but both know it has changed their lives immeasurably.

Gary underwent multiple major neck surgeries and tendon transplant surgery to help him regain more function in his hands.

He spent about nine months in various hospitals following the accident. AJ woke up alone in the hospital after his crash because of COVID-19 restrictions.

Since their accidents, both men require 24-hour care and are on WorkCover through WorkSafe.

WorkSafe is calling for employers to ensure regular vehicle checks, rigorous training, and consistent reviews of safety systems to reduce road fatalities.

Speeding, drugs, alcohol, fatigue, and technology use must also be considered, as well as planning ahead to account for road conditions.

WorkSafe is determined to make strategic workplace visits and work closely with other road safety stakeholders to improve safety outcomes.