Man died after collision on the A66 near Scotch Corner

James Heap, 83, from Scots Dyke Close in Melsonby, died in hospital after fracturing his upper spine in a car accident.

An inquest into his death at County Hall in Northallerton heard evidence from other drivers who saw his silver car move into the central reservation on the A66 and looking as if it was about to stop, but instead of stopping it continued moving slowly into the road.

It went straight across the road and into the path of a red Toyota Yaris which had been in the overtaking lane and was travelling in the same direction.

The driver of the Toyota broke hard, but could not avoid Mr Heap’s car.

One witness, Diana Taylor, from Heysham near Morecambe, was driving along the A66 after visiting family in the North-East.

She told the inquest: “I saw a silver car come across from the central reservation. I’m not sure if the driver stopped. He seemed to stop then the silver car came out and into the carriageway. The red Toyota saw it and went into the inside lane but the silver car also crossed into the inside lane.”

Mr Heap, a retired coal board executive, had fractured his cervical spine. The effects of the spinal fractured caused him to develop pneumonia, which proved fatal. He died six months later on April 8 at the Friarage Hospital in Northallerton.

Coroner Michael Oakley recorded a verdict of accidental death.