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Death crash motorist fell asleep | Death crash motorist fell asleep |
(about 18 hours later) | |
A teacher had fallen asleep at the wheel of his car moments before it crashed fatally injuring him, an inquest has heard. | A teacher had fallen asleep at the wheel of his car moments before it crashed fatally injuring him, an inquest has heard. |
Witnesses saw father-of-two Andrew Radford, 33, from Welshpool, Powys, drift into the opposite lane in December last year. | Witnesses saw father-of-two Andrew Radford, 33, from Welshpool, Powys, drift into the opposite lane in December last year. |
The deputy head told a paramedic who attended the three-vehicle crash he had fallen asleep, the court heard. | The deputy head told a paramedic who attended the three-vehicle crash he had fallen asleep, the court heard. |
Powys Coroner Peter Maddox recorded a verdict of accidental death. | Powys Coroner Peter Maddox recorded a verdict of accidental death. |
The hearing in Welshpool was told Mr Radford was conscious after the crash on 4 December 2008 and was able to speak to paramedic Alan Williams. | The hearing in Welshpool was told Mr Radford was conscious after the crash on 4 December 2008 and was able to speak to paramedic Alan Williams. |
Mr Williams told the inquest that he found Mr Radford lying on the grass verge, and he started to treat him. | |
He said: "I asked him what had happened and he [Mr Radford] told me 'I fell asleep'." | He said: "I asked him what had happened and he [Mr Radford] told me 'I fell asleep'." |
Mr Williams said Mr Radford told him that he had planned to stop earlier in his journey but felt that he could carry on. | Mr Williams said Mr Radford told him that he had planned to stop earlier in his journey but felt that he could carry on. |
The paramedic said Mr Radford asked him not to tell anyone about their conversation. | The paramedic said Mr Radford asked him not to tell anyone about their conversation. |
Internal injuries | Internal injuries |
Mr Radford, deputy head at St John the Baptist Primary School in Ruyton-XI-Towns in Shropshire, was taken to the Royal Shrewbury Hospital but his condition deteriorated en route, the inquest heard. | Mr Radford, deputy head at St John the Baptist Primary School in Ruyton-XI-Towns in Shropshire, was taken to the Royal Shrewbury Hospital but his condition deteriorated en route, the inquest heard. |
He died the following day as result of internal injuries, despite having emergency surgery. | He died the following day as result of internal injuries, despite having emergency surgery. |
The inquest also heard from van delivery driver Michael Upton via a statement read at out at the hearing. | The inquest also heard from van delivery driver Michael Upton via a statement read at out at the hearing. |
He said he was three or four vehicles behind Mr Radford's silver Skoda Octavia when he saw it drift across the central white line. | He said he was three or four vehicles behind Mr Radford's silver Skoda Octavia when he saw it drift across the central white line. |
He said he then saw vehicles swerving to avoid a collision but the Skoda was eventually in collision with a Volvo car. | He said he then saw vehicles swerving to avoid a collision but the Skoda was eventually in collision with a Volvo car. |
Coroner Mr Maddox said the "tragic death" of Mr Radford served as reminder to all drivers that it was safer to stop when they fell tired. | Coroner Mr Maddox said the "tragic death" of Mr Radford served as reminder to all drivers that it was safer to stop when they fell tired. |
He added that it was not a criticism of Mr Radford. | He added that it was not a criticism of Mr Radford. |
Mr Maddox added: "It seems consistent with a lapse of concentration or falling asleep. | Mr Maddox added: "It seems consistent with a lapse of concentration or falling asleep. |
"There's not suggestion that he (Mr Radford) was driving dangerously, speeding or trying to overtake." | "There's not suggestion that he (Mr Radford) was driving dangerously, speeding or trying to overtake." |