Tancredo Bankhardt, 41, is on trial charged with three counts of attempted murder following the crash on the A146 between Loddon and Hales last September.

A146 between Loddon and Hales (Image: Newsquest)

Norwich Crown Court has heard Bankhardt was thought to be driving his Vauxhall Astra at 74mph at the time of the collision, on a road with a 60mph limit.

He is also said to have "ensured" neither he nor his young passengers - who cannot be identified for legal reasons - had been wearing seatbelts.

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On the second day of the trial, the jury of 10 men and two women heard evidence from a witness about phone calls and voice notes Bankhardt had sent her in the lead up to the crash, on September 26.

"He was sad," said the witness who also "heard him crying" in a call she had made to him, such was her concern.

Tancredo Bankhardt (Image: Social media)

She told jurors that in the messages he referred to "the way out" and said he hoped God would "not treat me badly up there".

The witness said she was worried he "might pass out" and called police just before 7.40pm.

"I was worried what was going to happen," she said.

"He has sent me a strange message" and had asked the woman to "pray for him".

She told the court he was "very upset".

Norwich Crown Court (Image: Newsquest)

In her call to police, she told the call handler Bankhardt had told her he was "going to kill himself".

She told officers she "didn't know what he's going to do" as he "was upset".

She tried to call him back just before 8pm but there was no answer.

Jurors have heard Bankhardt, who had been driving up and down the A146 for about two hours prior to the crash, was involved in a crash with two other vehicles at just after 8.30pm.

Stephen Rose KC, prosecuting, said "mercifully" no-one was killed in the crash although others, including two of the children in the car, suffered serious injuries.

Bankhardt, of Saxon Road, Great Yarmouth, who is represented by Simon Spence KC, also faces three counts of causing serious injury by dangerous driving and also dangerous driving.

He has denied all charges.

© Norwich Evening News