Death crash driver four times over limit

John Burt, of Cowdray Park Road, Little Common, was killed when his Toyota Corolla was in collision with a Ford Focus on the A269 at Standard Hill, Ninfield, in December last year.

The other driver, Alison Laing from Ninfield, suffered serious injuries as a result of the smash.

Mr Burt, 55, died of severe head and chest injuries associated with a traffic accident. The toxicolgist's report revealed he had 347 miligrams of alcohol in his body per 100 millilitres of blood - well over four times the limit.

Andrew Thompson, an eye-witness, described through a written report how he found an empty lager can in Mr Burt's car when he entered to try and resuscitate him at the scene.

The crash investigation also revealed Mr Burt was not wearing a seatbelt.

The inquest heard Mr Burt's car, travelling eastbound had moved on to the grass verge and clipped a telegrpah pole before crossing the road and hitting Ms Laing's car in the westbound carriageway head-on.

Crash investigation officer Simon Rideout said in his report there was no evidence of excessive speed.

He said, in his view, "The tragic accident was due to the actions or inactions of Mr Burt alone. By failing to wear his seatbelt Mr Burt placed himself significantly at risk."

Ms Laing, of Marlpits Lane, was on her way to visit her boyfriend in Herstmonceux when the incident happened.

She said: "I recall his car was coming towards me. I remember thinking, 'He has got to move, he has got to move' but he didn't.

"I do have some memory of being trapped in the car and I have had a strong recall of the actual impact."

Both cars sustained severe frontal damage and Ms Laing had to be cut from the wreckage by fire crews.

Coroner Alan Craze said: "I'm quite clear if Mr Burt had not been very drunk then the accident would not have happened. I am also clear in my mind that if Mr Burt had been wearing his seatbelt the accident may not have ended the way it did for him.

"It is a great relief to me that I am only dealing with one inquest as I may well have been dealing with two."

He recorded a verdict of accidental death.