A MAN accused of causing the deaths of two people in a horrific ambulance crash has denied that he was distracted by loud music moments before the collision.

Richard Husband, of New Forest Drive, Brockenhurst, was allegedly heard by witnesses saying “I didn’t see it – I had my music on,” in the aftermath of the incident on April 26 last year.

However, on the third day of a trial at Bournemouth Crown Court yesterday the 26-year-old – who has no previous convictions – said the music at the time of the crash was not overly loud.

“It was just really horrific – I was just so shocked,” he said, adding that he had spoken of the music as it was the only explanation he could think of as to why he didn’t realise the ambulance had pulled up alongside his car.

Husband had been driving along the A337 Brockenhurst to Lyndhurst road in the same direction as the ambulance before pulling out to overtake the car in front.

Prosecutors allege that the defendant failed to adequately check his mirrors before attempting to overtake, which the defendant denies.

Patient Francis Ironside, 88, and paramedic Gillian Randall, 42, who was driving the vehicle, were both killed in the collision. Mr Ironside’s son David, 64, and paramedic Richard Riley, 32, were badly injured.

Husband denies two counts of causing death by careless driving.

Proceeding.