Police Camera Action

THE moment footballer Luke McCormick realised he was a drunken killer is to be shown on TV tonight.

The goalie was caught on CCTV at a police station after ploughing his Range Rover into a people carrier, seriously injuring driver Phil Peak and killing his sons Arron, ten, and Ben, eight.

But the 25-year-old Plymouth Argyle star was unaware of the carnage until he overheard the arresting police officer talking about a “road traffic death”.

McCormick — initially arrested for drink driving and dangerous driving — is seen turning to the officer and says: “Who’s dead?”

The cop refuses to answer and says: “I can only tell you that if the custody officer asks me.” Getting agitated, McCormick turns to the custody officer and demands: “Who’s died?”

But the officer, at Stafford police station, Staffs, replies: “I don’t know, I’ve just come on. As soon as we know what’s going on, mate, we’ll tell you.”

Dropping his head to his hands, the full horror of what he has done hits McCormick. He was later to learn that one of the boys died at the scene on the M6 in Staffordshire while the other died in hospital soon afterwards.

The footage is to be played out on a Police, Camera, Action special on drink driving tonight at 9pm on ITV1.

McCormick, who was returning from a soccer pal’s wedding, pleaded guilty to causing death by dangerous driving at Stoke-on—Trent Crown Court. He was jailed for seven years.

McCormick was found to have 74 micrograms of alcohol in 100ml of breath. The limit is 35 micrograms.

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I reckon they must have asked the parents of the poor boys before showing this, but god its very soon after the accident and the court case to be showing it. Normally when something this horrific happens its a long time before they use it to get viewers.

If it helps get the message across, good. There are still too many people who think their driving isn't impaired when they drink, Luke McCormick was one of them. I can actually feel a bit sorry for him, one act of gross stupidity had enormous repercussions. But he deserves to be in jail. The Peak family won't be having any more happy Christmases.

I think the main message most people would come away with is drink Malibu and coke. How on earth can anyone knock back eight of them and still score only four, when the drink-driving limit is 35? I was absolutely amazed.

It was a bit of an eye-opener though, to find out for sure that there's no definite rule for how much you can safely drink, that there are too many variables. Gethin Jones, the presenter, looked drunk and felt drunk but was still under the limit. If it was up to me, I'd make it zero - NO drink at all if you're driving.

Luke McCormick did seem broken up when he found out what he'd done. How could you forgive yourself?

I was amazed at how much they were drinking and were still under the limit I would like to see it down to zero.

He did seem genuinely upset, but then so he should. I think the most poignant bit for me was when the mother said something along the lines of 'to every one who has children, treat every christmas like it will be their last, because you never know if it will be'

The doll in the pram was a significant moment for the presenter, its that sort of thing that bring it home how a couple of seconds can make all the difference.

I never saw the programme, but I do believe it should be zero to avoid any confusion. Surely if you can afford to go out drinking, you can afford a taxi home, or take in turns being the designated driver.

Thats exactly it Lulu, there was a girl on there who was only 18 and quite pleased with herself that she drank 3 glasses of wine and a couple of shots (on average) and then drove home on a regular basis.

Her excuse was she couldnt afford a fiver for a taxi home, which is no excuse at all, as you say if you can afford to drink, you can afford a taxi home.

Exactly, she sounded rather silly for saying that when she was prepared to spend around four times that amount on alcohol.

There was a time when the "don't drink and drive" message seemed to hit home with people, especially young people. I don't know what's changed but I've heard several young girls recently discussing how many drinks they can have and still drive safely. I always advise them to leave the car at home if they are likely to be drinking.