A CORONER said yesterday that he was adjourning an accident inquest so that the case could be referred back to the Crown Prosecution Service "for their further consideration".

North Durham Coroner Andrew Tweddle made the decision during a hearing at Chester-le-Street, County Durham.

The inquest was told retired miner William Wright, 77, of South Moor, Stanley, suffered multiple injuries when he was involved in an accident with a Land Rover Freelander as he tried to cross the A693, in nearby New Kyo, on April 21.

David Paul Railton, 32, of Greenways, Delves Lane, near Consett, was due to appear before Consett magistrates on December 8 charged with careless driving in relation to the incident.

Colin Stephenson, of Leadgate, told yesterday's hearing he was driving behind the Freelander at about 50mph when he noticed a pedestrian standing within chevron markings in the middle of the road.

Mr Stephenson said: "I saw him step forward and he struck the side of the car. I knew it was going to happen before it happened.

"He looked to see if anything was coming and thought he could maybe make it across that road. It happened in a split second."

Ian Stafford, of Quaking Houses, said he saw Mr Wright thrown into the air. He said: "I hit the brakes and ran to the middle of the road to see how injured the person was. The Freelander was quite a way up the road. The driver came running straight out. He said 'I blew my horn and swerved to try and miss him'."

Mr Tweddle said that he was adjourning the hearing under Section 28 of the Coroner's Rules.