Russian ship captain says he didn’t fall asleep before fatal crash with oil tanker

Vladimir Motin, 59, denies gross negligence manslaughter (Picture: PA/Reuters)

A Russian captain has denied falling asleep behind the wheel of his ship when it crashed off the coast of East Yorkshire.

Vladimir Motin, 59, was on sole watch duty when the oil tanker, Solong, collided with the anchored Stena Immaculate near the Humber Estuary.

The incident in March caused the death of Solong crew member Mark Angelo Pernia, 38.

Motin, 59, from St Petersburg, denies gross negligence manslaughter.