Fatal freak crash

Published on 30th November 2006 in News

A mother-of-four died instantly in a freak accident in which her BMW car was struck by a flying wheel which had bounced across the motorway after becoming detached from a trailer, a coroner concluded this week.

Hull Coroner's Court heard on Tuesday that Jacqueline Robinson (54), of Manor Farm, Gribthorpe, died at the wheel of her BMW car as she travelled to work on the M62 at around 8.25am on Monday, July 10.

Mrs Robinson, a participant team manager in children's services at the East Riding of Yorkshire Council, was driving east along the motorway, three miles past junction 37, when the accident happened.

Saw wheel 'fly through air'

A witness to the accident, Simon Liversedge, recalled being overtaken by Mrs Robinson's blue BMW. Shortly afterwards he saw an object flying in the air which he later knew to be a wheel from a trailer travelling in the opposite direction.

He was unable to say exactly how high the wheel was, just that it "seemed very high."

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Speaking at Mrs Jacqueline Robinson's inquest, witness to the fatal M62 accident Simon Liversedge said:

"It [the wheel] seemed to come from the central reservation and was coming at an angle, in a direct line towards my vehicle."

He then saw Mrs Robinson's car stationary in the central lane. He stopped and noticed the BMW had been struck and severely damaged. "There was a big 'V' groove and the roof had been peeled back like a sardine can," he said.

Mr Liversedge was joined by another driver, who said in a statement that he saw a woman slumped forward. "I could tell she wasn't merely unconscious," his statement said.

"The damage was horrendous - the steering wheel was bent back and the roof was literally folded back," another witness said.

The windscreen had also been smashed and torn.

Pc Kevin O'Connor, who arrrived at the scene half an hour later, recalled: "One of the firemen approached me with an ashen face - that said it all."

Attempts by paramedics to resuscitate Mrs Robinson were in vain, and she was certified dead on arrival at the hospital. Her husband John later identified her body at Hull Royal Infirmary.

A post-mortem showed that Mrs Robinson had suffered fractures to her skull and back and pathologist Dr Anne Campbell gave these as the cause of death.

"Loss of consciousness would have occurred immediately, due to the severe head injuries," Dr Campbell said.

None of the witnesses reported seeing brake lights show on the BMW or seeing it swerve. Collision investigator Pc Steven Jackson suggested that Mrs Robinson would not have seen the wheel and, if she had, had no time to react.

Fatal moment wheel came

off boat trailer

Statements to the inquest established that the wheel had become detached from a trailer carrying a Bayliner power boat, which was being towed by a Subaru Impreza travelling on the opposite side of the motorway.

William Lawson was driving west when the wheel from his single-axle trailer came off his trailer, went over the central reservation and smashed into the windscreen of Mrs Robinson's BMW.

Several witnesses described the weather as fine and dry and Pc Jackson concluded that neither the conditions nor the road surface had played a part in the accident.

Coroner Geoffrey Saul recorded a verdict of accidental death and passed his condolences to the family.

"She wouldn't have had time to appreciate what had happened," he said.

Family's brave battle to cope with tragic loss

After the inquest, Mrs Robinson's husband said: "We are still struggling to come to terms with Jacky's death following the tragic accident.

"She was a highly intelligent lady who touched the lives of many people she came into contact with.

"Her drive and determination was having a positive impact on the most vulnerable children within the East Riding."

An award, the Jacky Robinson Participation Award, has been set up with the help of the East Riding of Yorkshire Council and will be presented annually to a child or group of children from Kingsmill School in Driffield who have progressed or done good work.

"Her legacy will live on through the award established in her name. We miss her terribly," said Mr Robinson.