Shropshire property developer killed in crash wasn't wearing seatbelt, inquest told
A family today said the death of their father in a road accident illustrates the tragic consequences of not wearing a seatbelt.
The inquest on Frank Woodcock heard the 62-year-old had not been wearing a seatbelt when the van he was in collided with both another car and the side of a railway bridge earlier this year.
A family statement from sons Jonathan and Daniel and daughter Sophia highlighted the importance of wearing a seatbelt every time someone is travelling in a vehicle.
"Seatbelts save lives. Seatbelts save families from the pain of losing someone they love. Seatbelts save the anguish of those who witness people dying in car crashes," the statement said.
"We hope that other families will be spared the pain of losing someone they cherish by the simple action of buckling up."
Mr Woodcock, who was a member of Woore Parish Council and a property developer in the Market Drayton area, died on the A51 at Stableford on March 26.
The family statement paid tribute to a "man with a giant character". It said: "Our father was a hardworking man, he had an inquisitive mind combined with the strength of character to stand tall for what he believed in.
"He spent over 30 years on the local council standing up for the rights of people and the betterment of their lives. He spent 20 years supporting the local rugby club, encouraging the next generation of athletes and instilling his passion for the sport into all he met.
"Frank Woodcock was a bear of a man with a giant character and like so many people that are stolen away from loved ones, he is missed every day and everyone who knew him shares the void that has opened up in our hearts."
Mr Woodcock also ran JRT Developments with Jonathan at Old Station Yard in Pipe Gate, near Woore.
The statement added: "We stand before you today as a family, grateful for the support provided to us while we grieve the loss of our father, grateful for the assistance that people gave to our father on the road side but most of all we are grateful for our father's life and the privilege of being his children.
"However, woven into these heartfelt thanks is the gaping wound of knowing that if he had done the simple act of fastening his seatbelt, life would be very different for us all.
"He wouldn't have missed his eldest son's wedding, he wouldn't have missed the birthdays of his grandchildren and he wouldn't have missed the prospect of retiring after recovering from ill health."
