The Voice of Spalding and South Holland
A Gosberton man who died when his car left the road and crashed into metal fencing in Pinchbeck was more than twice the drink-drive limit, an inquest was told.
Stuart Healands (49) was pronounced dead at the scene in Northgate after CPR attempts by police officers failed.
An inquest at Boston Coroner’s Court on Thursday (Nov 22) heard from two residents of Northgate who heard a car go by at speed before a screech of brakes and a loud bang.
In written evidence, Stephen Parker said it was approximately 12.30am on June 4 this year. He and wife
Lorraine went out to investigate and met up with neighbour Fiona Pearson.
It was so dark that Mr Parker returned to his house for a torch.
He said: “When I walked back to my wife and Fiona they had already called the emergency services. I could see the car was badly damaged and only one person inside. I saw a male who looked very unwell.”
Off-duty police officer Nicholas Waters was flagged down as he drove towards West Pinchbeck.
He could see a car had collided with metal fencing at the front of DP Packaging’s premises. A marked police car containing two officers – PC Craft and SC Dummett – pulled up and together they approached the crashed silver Lexus.
Sgt Waters’ evidence read: “The driver did not respond to my voice. I felt his artery for a pulse. At first I thought I felt a weak pulse but then I felt no pulse. I concluded that the male was in cardiac arrest and suggested that we pull him from the car and endeavour to commence CPR. That was undertaken.”
However, the efforts proved futile and Mr Healands, of Clough Road, died at the scene.
A post-mortem showed a blood ethanol level of 186mg in 100ml of blood. The drink-drive limit is 80.
Forensic collision investigator PC Raymond Holloway said: “He was travelling in excess of the 40mph speed limit and with a blood alcohol level well in excess of the maximum permitted level to drive by law. Mr Healands lost control of his vehicle after negotiating a right-hand bend and left the road to his offside where he collided with substantial gates and a gatepost.
“He was not wearing a seatbelt.”
Assistant coroner Paul Cooper recorded a conclusion of road traffic collision.
