Danger driver was killed in head-on crash (From Warrington Guardian)

Danger driver was killed in head-on crash

AN IRANIAN national who survived brutal torture in his homeland was killed on a rural Nantwich route after driving on the wrong side of the road.

Farhad Poorqurban, aged 29, was killed when the Honda Civic he was driving was involved in a head-on collision with a Land Rover Freelander on the A530 Baddington Lane at 6.15am on April 16.

An inquest into his death this week heard Mr Poorqurban was travelling towards Nantwich after completing a 12-hour night shift at Primebake's factory in Newhall when the collision occurred.

Eyewitnesses and collision investigators reported that his Honda Civic was trying to overtake on a bend just before the horror smash, which left the driver and passenger of the Land Rover seriously injured.

Ann Johnson, a passenger in the Land Rover, which was being driven by her husband Dennis, said: "We came up to a series of bends and a lay-by when we saw three cars coming around the bend.

"The car in the middle seemed to be on our side of the road, he glided back in between the two cars but then came out again and hit us.

"He was going very fast and my husband didn't have time to brake We ended up sideways in the ditch.

"My husband had a stroke as a result of the accident, and it is still very upsetting for him."

Police collision investigator Michael Baddeley told the court the road was wet with surface water, which could have caused Mr Poorqurban's vehicle to aquaplane at speed.

Eyewitnesses also said the 29-year-old was driving dangerously and overtaking on blind corners.

Investigations also revealed that Mr Poorqurban, of Honeywell, Stoke, had not taken a driving test.

Jacqui Riley, a refugee resettlement officer, said: "I know he had little driving experience. I don't think he had passed a test, and I'm not even sure he was taking lessons.

"He came to Britain as an asylum seeker, and was given permission to stay permanently.

"He suffered torture in his home country.

"He had been imprisoned for handing out political leaflets, and had his fingers broken and was whipped as well as tortured.

"He spoke perfect English, was very well respected in the community, and worked very hard."

Cheshire Coroner Nicholas Rheinberg recorded a verdict of accidental death, saying: "Despite Mr Poorqurban's dangerous driving, I'm satisfied that the collision was unintentional.

"It's a great tragedy, having escaped torture in his own country, that he should have died in these particular circumstances."

amorrison@guardiangrp.co.uk