Overtake led to six deaths

Six people died after an ill-conceived overtaking manoeuvre, an inquest heard today.

The two-car collision on the A614 near Bilsthorpe prompted calls for road safety improvements but the road was not to blame, it was stressed by the coroner and police.

Nottinghamshire coroner Dr Nigel Chapman recorded verdicts of accidental death on the six who died on February 13.

Jay Thompson (18) and Thomas Hudson (17) both of Rainworth and Josh Drinkwater (18) of Blidworth, were all passengers in a Peugeot car driven by Ross Johnson, of Rainworth, who also died.

The four, and the driver of a Ford Fiesta, Mr Jonathan Bray (69) of Thoresby Avenue, Edwinstowe, had to be identified by dental records after both cars burst into flames.

Two police patrol officers who happened upon the scene were commended by Dr Chapman for pulling Mr Bray’s wife Christine (66) from the vehicle. She died at the scene.

The police officers told investigators that all those trapped were either unconscious or dead at the time of the fire.

Tests revealed that neither driver had any alcohol or drugs in their system at the time of the crash at 10.30pm.

The only witness, Mrs Jacqueline Biss, from Derby, said the Peugeot had overtaken her on the brow of a hill leading to a long straight.

Mrs Biss said she had slowed to allow it to return to her side of the road but that did not happen. The car hit Mr Bray’s Fiesta head-on.

Crash investigator Pc Stephen Dodson said it appeared the car had under-steered and then over-steered as Ross sought to control it.

Neither vehicle had any defect that could have caused the crash. There was insufficient evidence to gauge speed.

Pc Dodson said: “It was a poorly judged decision to overtake. It was an inappropriate overtaking manoeuvre.”

The head of crash investigation with Nottinghamshire Police, Detective Inspector Andy Hall, supported Dr Chapman’s conclusion that it was nothing more than a tragic accident.

He said there were no deaths there prior to that accident and did not believe there was any issue in relation to location.