A HOSPICE volunteer died instantly after the bough of a diseased ash tree hit the patient transport ambulance he was driving, an inquest heard.

Durham Coroner Andrew Tweddle is to alert Durham County Council and the landowner to the potential dangers of infected roadside trees following the death of George Brown, of High Etherley, near Bishop Auckland.

The 68-year-old had been a volunteer driver with the Butterwick Hospice, in Bishop Auckland, for 12 years.

The tragedy happened on the A688 close to Dunhouse Quarry, near Staindrop, last September as the remnants of Hurricane Katia swept the region.

Mr Brown was on his way to Barnard Castle in the minibus to collect patients from the Butterwick’s facility at Richardson Hospital.

Fellow volunteer driver Peter Foster, 68, of Crook, was hurt in the incident.

The tree in question suffered from the fungal infection, ash heart rot, which affects half of all mature ash trees.

Durham County Council arboriculturalist Rodger Lowe told the inquest that ash trees are prevalent on county roadsides and that the high winds that afternoon were not the sole factor in the bough breaking.

He added there was visible evidence of infection that could have alerted the landowner to the problem and said there was national guidance advising landowners to carry out inspections.

Brian Kitching, the council’s policy and asset manager for strategic highways, said the road was given a monthly “drive-by” safety inspection that included looking for signs of disease or damage to overhanging trees.

But he said the council did not have the resources to inspect every tree individually.

Police accident investigator PC Nigel Craig said it was the first accident of its kind he had dealt with in 27 years and was one of only six nationally.

Recording a verdict of accidental death, Mr Tweddle said more people should be aware of the need to check for disease in trees.

He said he would write to the landowner to check other trees on his land and to the council’s highways department to see if everything was being done to ensure roadusers’ safety.

Afterwards, John Reed, the council’s head of technical services, said: “We will of course look at any issues the coroner raises and respond to him in the appropriate manner.”

Mr Brown, who was described as selfless and loyal, leaves wife Mary two children and three grandchildren.