A MAN will face a trial this year after pleading not guilty to charges of causing the deaths of a paramedic and an elderly man following a horrifying crash.

Richard Husband, of New Forest Drive, Brockenhurst, denied two counts of causing death by careless driving at Bournemouth Crown Court yesterday morning.

The 26-year-old was charged in connection with an ambulance crash on the A337 Brockenhurst to Lyndhurst road on April 27 last year.

Paramedic Gillian Randall, 42, and 88-year-old Francis Ironside were killed in the collision after the ambulance veered off the road and into a tree.

Mr Ironside’s 64-year-old son David, who was travelling in the back of the ambulance, and paramedic Richard Riley, 32, also suffered serious injuries.

Husband, who wore a suit to the court, spoke to confirm his name and enter his plea.

His family, and the loved ones of both of those killed in the crash, were in court during the hearing.

Judge John Harrow told the defendant to keep in touch with his solicitor during the hearing, and added: “If you don’t come to court [during the trial], the case could go on without you and that means you will not have the opportunity to give evidence to the jury if you choose to.”

Kerry Maylin, prosecuting, told the court that a number of teenagers who were passengers in Husband’s car at the time of the collision may be called to give evidence during the seven-day trial, which is set to begin on June 23 this year at the court.

Husband was released on unconditional bail.