Leslie Abel, 55, admitted three charges of dangerous driving, at Hull Crown Court, watched by two sets of families who are still grieving from the seven-vehicle pile-up on the M18 slip road of the M62.

David Goodridge, 52, a senior purchasing manager at Pindar’s Eastfield plant; Jayne Parkhouse, 36, and her nephew Stephen Parkhouse, 17, both of Bridlington, all died from injuries received in the crash near West Cowick on October 19 last year.

Abel, of Slight Close, Hull, looked mournful as he pleaded guilty to three charges of driving his Scania lorry dangerously causing death.

Dressed in black shirt and black trousers, Abel left the talking to his barrister, Michael Scholes, who told the court: “He is an experienced HGV driver for many years without incident. There was gross inattention for a period which the police say ranges from 14 to six seconds. The defendant was initially thought to be suffering from undiagnosed type-two diabetes. There was no defence for him on the basis of medical information. He is utterly remorseful for the consequences of what happened that day.”

Six other people were injured in the horrific accident which happened during the evening rush hour. Five ambulances and around 20 firefighters attended the crash while motorists helped tend the walking wounded. The crash resulted in a section of the M62 between Langham and Junction 36 being closed for almost 12 hours.

Mr Goodridge, 52, of Laneham-in-Retford, near Lincoln, died after his Honda CR-V overturned as he travelled back from his Scarborough workplace. Six members of Mr Goodridge’s family were in court – including his widow Jacqueline – as well as the family of Jayne and Stephen Parkhouse.

Judge Roger Thorn QC, said: “There will inevitably be a custodial sentence. The question will be to the length of sentence.”

Abel was released from the dock and is due to re-appear on October 2.