EXTENSIVE investigations have failed to explain why a County Durham lorry driver crashed to his death on a Scottish motorway last year.

Geoffrey Musgrave died after the cattle truck he was driving hit the lorry in front of him on the M74 near Elvanfoot, south of Crawford, Lanarkshire, on May 27, 2015.

The 49-year-old, from Shotton Colliery, died before paramedics arrived.

An inquest at Crook Civic Centre this morning heard that Scottish authorities ran a thorough investigation but could not fully explain what happened that day.

A fatal accident and sudden deaths inquiry, held at Hamilton Sheriff Court earlier this month, was told Mr Musgrave had transported livestock across the UK for Haswell Moor Farm, Durham, for around eight years.

On the morning of the collision he had taken livestock to Bridge of Allan, near Stirling, before heading back to Durham on the M74.

With road works approaching, the lorry in front of Mr Musgrave’s Scania cattle truck began to slow down but he drove head-on into the back of it causing a massive impact. Both vehicles stopped on the hard shoulder, the driver of the other vehicles was uninjured.

Quoting Sheriff Daniel Kelly, County Durham and Darlington Coroner Andrew Tweddle said: “The immediate cause of the injuries resulting in the death was the failure of Mr Musgrave to react as he approached the lorry ahead of him on the carriageway. With that lorry proceeding in lane one at 37 miles per hour, he continued without deviation at 56 miles per hour and collided head on into the rear of it.

“The cause of death was certified as being chest injuries due to a road traffic collision.

“Of greater relevance and significance is the cause or explanation of that incident having occurred.

“Despite extensive examinations, no reason has been identified to explain this, leaving it as unascertained.”

No evidence of mechanical fault, sleep deprivation, ill health or mobile phone use was found. Mr Tweddle recorded a conclusion of death due to road traffic collision.