Heathfield: Cross in Hand pensioner in wheel tragedy

Hilda Weston, 83, from Firgrove Road in Cross in Hand, was standing just yards from her home at a bus stop on the B2102 in Cross in Hand before being catapulted several feet on October 20 last year.

One of eight rear wheels of a 32 tonne Volvo tipper truck owned by Robins in Chilsham Lane, Herstmonceux, came loose and hit the pensioner head on.

Pathologist Chrstopher Moffatt said she sustained fractures to the spine and back and she had massive chest injuries. Death was rapid and probably instant, he said. Something heavy with a lot of momentum had struck this lady and the full force of the impact was taken on the front of her chest.

Lorry driver Mark Stansfield, of Hastings, had only worked for the company for three days.

All I remember was the noise: it was the axle dragging on the floor. I do not remember seeing the tyre come off or seeing it bounce down the street passed me.

An experienced long distance driver, Mr Stansfield said he checked the wheels and tyres each time he made a journey.

I checked the vehicle before I left the yard that morning. There was nothing unusual at all. I would have noticed if the nuts on the wheel were loose, he said.

But crash investigators found other wheels loose. One had even flown off and landed in a hedgerow shortly before the fatal accident.

Speed of the vehicle, according to PC Michael Skingle, did not play a part in Mrs Weston s death.

It is not totally uncommon to hear that wheels loosen as they gain momentum and movement while in motion, he said. It is a phenomenon which does happen.

Calling her death deeply sad , coroner Alan Craze said Miss Weston was standing in an unfortunate place when tragedy struck.

He recorded a verdict of accidental death.

Published: 14.6.01 Sussex Newspapers Ltd