Inquest told of skidding on road

Resurfacing work on a north Shropshire road could have contributed to the death of a 37-year-old man, an inquest heard.

Gareth Hughes, of Highfields, Market Drayton, died on May 9 on the A442 at Peplow, near Hodnet, after his vehicle was in collision with a heavy goods vehicle.

An inquest at Shrewsbury Magistrates Court yesterday heard that resurfacing work being carried out by JDM Accord on behalf of Shropshire County Council had finished on May 8.

David Lynn, council assistant divisional surveyor, said the road had been due to be swept of loose gravel at 10pm but this was put back to 6am the next day due to the weather. The accident happened at about 5.20am.

Steven Harper, the driver of the HGV, said there was nothing he could have done to avoid the accident.

"Gareth came round the corner and lost control and skidded into my path. It was head-on," he said.

The inquest was also read statements from two others who had lost control on the road's surface. Genti Rustemi, a chef, said he had hit a tree. He said: "I believe the signs were too close to the road surfacing."

But Mr Lynn said he believed the signing was adequate.

Constable Lois Ellis, an accident investigator, said two of Mr Hughes's tyres were over-inflated and a brake valve was faulty, which also could have contributed. Also he was not wearing a seatbelt.

The inquest was adjourned to a later date for evidence from JDM Accord.