A ST HELENS lorry driver has appeared in court charged with causing death by dangerous driving in connection with the M62 hen party crash that killed teenager Bethany Jones.

Kevin Ollerhead, 44, of Lincoln Crescent, Haresfinch faced a packed courtroom during a five minute hearing at Wakefield Magistrates' Court this morning.

He appeared in court along with James Johnson, 63, of Whytecote End, Wyke, who faces the same charge.

Beth, 18, of South Elmsall, Wakefield, died when the minibus she was travelling in and a lorry were involved in a collision on the M62 at junction 32 at Pontefract on April 26 last year.

The minibus was taking a group of family and friends on a hen party for bride-to-be Stefanie Firth in Liverpool.

Ollerhead was the driver of the lorry and Johnson was the driver of the minibus.

Deputy District Judge Philip Jones adjourned the case for a preliminary hearing at Leeds Crown Court on February 3.

Both were granted unconditional bail.