LORRY DRIVER IN FATAL CRASH (From Warrington Guardian)

LORRY DRIVER IN FATAL CRASH

A FATHER-OF-TWO died at an accident blackspot after his car was involved in a head-on collision with a lorry being driven by a Winsford man, an inquest heard.

Computer technician Philip Rossiter, aged 32, of Lunt Avenue, Crewe, died at the scene of the smash involving six vehicles on the A530 Middlewich Road at Bradfield Green on June 3 last year.

At an inquest held at Crewe Magistrates' Court on Wednesday last week, Cheshire Coroner John Hibbert recorded a verdict of accidental death on Mr Rossiter, who died from multiple head injuries.

Speaking at the hearing, accident investigator PC Peter Benningwood said that the incident started when a motorist - Neil Bebbington, of Poplar Drive, Middlewich - who was driving towards Middlewich, pulled over to pick up a hitchhiker.

He said that a Ford Mondeo pulled up behind and indicated to go past, but the next vehicle - a lorry being driven by 40-year-old Stephen Oakes, of Winsford - couldn't stop in time and collided with the Mondeo.

The lorry then steered on to the wrong side of the 60 mph road and was in collision with a Fiat Punto being driven by Mr Rossiter.

The lorry's tacograph showed that its speed was 52 mph before the accident and 40 mph when it hit the Punto.

PC Benningwood said: "The lorry driver was unable to stop behind the Mondeo, attempted

to steer around them, collided with the near offside of the Mondeo and hit the Punto on the other side of the carriageway."

The accident led to further crashes as other cars struggled to brake in the wet conditions, but the hitchhiker left the scene before the police arrived.

Mr Hibbert said: "Mr Rossiter was driving towards Crewe when he was in a head-on collision with a lorry, which had crossed over to the incorrect side of the road.

"The first vehicle stopped for a perfectly good reason and the Mondeo stopped correctly before the collision, but I'm not permitted to show where blame lies so the only verdict I can return is accidental death.

"I have sympathy for the family for the sad death of such a young man."

Five lives were lost on the road last year, and police have been conducting high visibility patrols there every day since February.

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