OAP stepped out into path of taxi, inquest told

Mrs Doris Ross, 79, died from multiple injuries three hours later in the Conquest Hospital, an inquest heard at Hastings on Wednesday.

Mrs Ross, who lived in the warden care flats at Glovers Lane, regularly used the Ninfield Road crossings waiting to hear the bleeper before moving.

The inquest heard the crossings were out of action on the morning of February 4 because of Transco gas main road works.

Taxi driver Norman Farley, 61, of East View Terrace, Sedlescombe, was moving off from temporary lights about 10-20mph when Mrs Ross walked into the side of his Vauxhall Cavalier by the front passenger seat mirror.

Mr Farley swerved and braked but could do nothing to avoid Mrs Ross.

Taxi passenger Mrs Yvonne Apps, of Wellington Gardens, Battle, said Mrs Ross did not look to either side but just walked straight ahead into the side of the car. The taxi was level with her when she stepped out off the kerb.

Other witnesses Marcus Lovett, 42, of Marley Close, Battle, Jessica Batkin, 18, of Crowhurst Lane, Sidley and Mrs Jill Mills, 66, of Newlands Avenue, Bexhill, confirmed what had happened.

Mr Lovett said: "The taxi driver was extremely upset and shaken."

Police Sergeant Kevin Donovan told the inquest: "I suspect she waited to hear for any traffic and then took a chance."

Coroner Alan Craze recorded a verdict of accidental death.

Son Barry Ross, of Broadstone, Dorset, said after the inquest: "We don't understand why both crossings were closed.

"We just want to know if any lessons can be learned from this and nothing like this ever happens again."