A CORONER has called for safety changes at an accident blackspot after a pensioner was killed in an horrific smash.

Retired plumber John Horton, 72, from Boosebeck, near Guisborough, was hit at about 40mph as he attempted to cross two lanes of a busy dual carriageway.

At the height of rush hour on the A66, Mr Horton, who is believed to have been returning from holiday with his wife, Mary, left Teesside Airport on October 15, last year.

The dangerous interchange, near Stockton, Teesside, has been labelled "death mile" by residents in Long Newton village.

And yesterday, after an inquest into Mr Horton's tragic death, Teesside Coroner Michael Sheffield said he will be writing to the Highways Agency, appealing for safety improvements.

There were 35 serious crashes on the A66 outside the village between 1987 and 1992. In 1985, seven people died in seven months.

Teesside Magistrates' Court heard how a Vauxhall Astra work van, which hit Mr Horton, was driven by banned driver Ashley Selby. He also had no insurance.

The van was taken without permission from his brother, Scott Selby, on the day of the accident.

As Selby travelled west along the A66, he ploughed into the blue Ford Fiesta driven by Mr Horton. The van hit the driver's door head-on, spinning it over 90 degrees.

Motorist Elaine McColgan, from Darlington, was in the inside lane as the white van overtook her.

She told the court: "I looked directly at the driver in the car and his face was frozen with horror. The van hit the car and spun it around in the road."

Emergency services cut Mr and Mrs Horton out of their car and they were both taken to the University Hospital of North Tees. Mr Horton died soon after arriving.

Pathologist Dr Christopher Rettman told the court Mr Horton died from massive internal bleeding. He suffered multiple injuries including a fractured pelvis.

Mr Sheffield recorded a verdict of accidental death, adding: "I will be reporting this case to the Highways Authority. Reference has been made that it is a well known blackspot."

Ashley Selby, of Romsey Road, Stockton, was sentenced to 12 months in prison after admitting aggravated vehicle taking, driving whilst disqualified and driving with no insurance.