Inquest told car was on wrong side of road

Alan Douglas Crowhurst suffered multiple fractures and other serious injuries when the Suzuki Waggon he was driving collided with a cream Mercedes on the A454 at Worfield, near Bridgnorth.

The 75-year-old, from Crowley Court Cleobury Mortimer, was rushed to North Staffordshire Hospital after the crash on July 11 last year. But he died on July 17, an inquest at Bridgnorth Council Chamber was told yesterday.

His wife June, who was a passenger in the Suzuki, also suffered serious injuries while the driver of the Mercedes, John Cousins, has been left a tetraplegic, the hearing was told.

Deputy south Shropshire coroner Andrew Barkley recorded a verdict of accidental death.

Constable Ian Cole, of West Mercia Police, was first on the scene and told the inquest Mr Cousins had told him he "may have crossed the white line" in the middle of the road. But investigating officers could find no reason for him doing it.

Constable Mark Gallacher, who led the investigation, read out a statement from Mr Cousins following a police interview. He said he had been for a dental appointment on the morning before the crash and received anaesthetic for a filling.

Mr Cousins told police he could not remember anything after leaving the surgery until after the crash had happened.

Officers ruled out the involvement of drink or drugs, and Mr Cousins' mobile phone was in his boot at the time.

Constable Nik Stafford, of the collision investigation unit based at Shrewsbury police station, told the hearing neither vehicle was travelling at excess speed, neither had any mechanical defects and the road was in good condition.

He added: "For one reason or another, the Mercedes was on the incorrect side of the road. I cannot find any evidence to suggest why."