Shropshire farmer lost control leading to fatal crash with lorry, inquest told
A Shropshire farmer died when the vehicle he was driving moved into the opposite lane and into the path of a HGV, an inquest was told.
Kenneth Charles Gwilliam of Little Brampton in Clunbury was killed instantly in the accident on July 25.
The accident took place on the A49, a mile and a half north of Church Stretton.
Police Constable Mark Wild who attended the accident told an inquest held at Shirehall in Shrewsbury yesterday that "driver error" by Mr Gwilliam may have caused the accident.
The hearing heard that the 64-year-old's red Mitsubishi was not carrying a load at the time, which may have caused it to have been lighter.
It had also rained overnight.
He said: "The reason he lost control is believed to be driver error.
"Possibly inappropriate or late steering input caused the vehicle to lose balance.
"The type of vehicle Mr Gwilliam was driving, when it is not carrying a load, can be light at the rear end.
"The vehicle and the road surface may have exacerbated any loss of balance.
"In conclusion there is no evidence of any offence caused by the HGV, no faults with either vehicle which could have led to the collision, no impairment to the road surface."
The inquest also heard there had been an accident on that stretch of road a few weeks prior, though this was not believed to have been linked.
Shropshire Coroner John Ellery said: "A combination of factors caused Mr Gwilliam to go across the road at the time the HGV was coming the other way."
Mr Ellery recorded the cause of death was multiple injuries caused by a road traffic accident.
