Black-out may havecaused driver to hitlorry in Rye crash

A CAMBER woman who died in a head-on collision with a lorry is likely to have suffered a black-out at the wheel an inquest heard this week.

Sandra Collison, 62, of Farm Lane, Camber, died instantly when her blue Peugeot car veered across the road and hit a lorry.

The accident took place on the A259 Winchelsea to Rye road, just east of Blockhouse Corner on May 7.

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Witnesses told the inquest that Mrs Collison’s vehicle drifted into the path of the lorry and there was no attempt at all to brake or take evasive action.

This was backed up by Sussex Police crash investigation officer PC Mark Hill who said: “I could find no evidence to suggest the Peugeot was braking at the time of impact.”

He said that lorry driver Anthony Harrison, from Maidstone, Kent, was in no way to blame.

He said: “The lorry driver braked but was unable to avoid the collision.”

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Goods vehicle driver Peter Jenner, who was following the Peugeot, said: “I saw the car veer to the right and cross the white line and saw the lorry coming the other way flashing it’s lights. She did not brake but drove straight into the front of the lorry.”

The inquest heard that earlier that day Mrs Collison had joined members of a local rambling club in a circular walk from Crowhurst to Battle.

A pathologist ruled out heart-attack or stroke and said Mrs Collison apeared to be healthy for her age.

Coroner Alan Craze said: “It does not seem to be due to distraction and she was not suffering from the effects of any drugs. A toxicology report was completely clear.

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“This had to have had a medical origin. I am quite satisfied she suffered a black-out and would have died almost immediately.

“ It was a completely and wholly unexpected tragedy.”

He recorded a verdict of road traffic accident.

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