The Voice of Spalding and South Holland
A coroner has highlighted concerns about the dangers of holidaymakers driving through the night on their return home following the death of a Spalding couple.
An inquest at Boston Coroner’s Court heard that Robert and Anne McCloud had returned from a week’s holiday in Cyprus when their car drifted into the path of an oncoming lorry in February of this year.
Despite stopping for a 40 minute coffee break an hour after leaving Stansted Airport, the inquest was told that investigations revealed that Mr McCloud was likely to have fallen asleep at the wheel before the crash on the A16 Crowland bypass.
The incident happened at 4.21am and, after recording a verdict of death by road traffic collision, coroner Murray Spittle warned of the dangers to other holidaymakers.
He said: “I would like to echo the concerns about the risks of driving in the early hours of the morning after being away on holiday.
“It is particularly significant at this time of year with it being the holiday season.”
The inquest heard how the McClouds Peugeot car drifted into the path of a Scania lorry driven by Michael Pask.
Mr Pask told the hearing that he had seen the car approaching him before it suddenly veered directly into his path.
“I had no chance of getting out of the way,” Mr Pask explained to the inquest.
“The car drifted right in front of me and there was nothing I could do to stop the impact.
“It all happened so quickly and I had no opportunity to steer out of the way.”
PC Michelle Ford, from Lincolnshire Police, explained to the inquest that investigations revealed brake marks were found on the road from both the Scania lorry and a van which was following it.
However, they had been unable to locate any marks left by the Peugeot which was being driven by Mr McCloud.
She also referred to a report into the affects of lack of sleep and how that was the likely reason behind the crash.
She said: “There was no evidence to suggest that the driver had reacted to a particular incident or had been distracted.
“There were no key signs on the road surface like skid marks to suggest anything other than that the driver was likely to have fallen asleep.
“The couple had travelled back through the night from their holiday and accidents can happen if the driver hasn’t had a significant amount of quality sleep or rest.”
