87 year old killed getting in to friend's car - inquest

Lottie Moore was outside the indoor bowl centre in Pontllanfraith when she was killed on Saturday, March 1.

Mrs Moore died of multiple fatal injuries at the Royal Gwent Hospital, Newport.

Newport Coroners' Court heard from her son, Michael John Moore, that she was still a fit and active woman.

During the last three or four years of her life Mrs Moore went to the indoor bowls club at Pontllanfraith with her friend Celwen Harris.

A witness to the accident, Margaret Barnett, said the rear of a dark coloured car shot like a rocket with an elderly woman hanging on the car door, before ending up in the road.

She said the car continued backwards with speed before the rear of the car struck the kerb and came to a complete stop.

Forensic collision officer, PC Keith Rich, said CCTV from the area showed Mrs Harris reversing the car and then driving forward to let Mrs Moore into the front of the car but it started to roll back and Mrs Moore was thrown forward.

He added that Mrs Harris could remember Mrs Moore putting her walking stick into the car but does not know what happened next.

PC Rich told the court about an automatic car theory by a Professor Schmidt in California where the reverse gear is engaged but the car shoots forward if the driver accidentally hits any pedals.

He said this would probably be the most likely cause of this sort of accident.

Gwent Coroner Mr David Bowen said there was no real explanation as to what happened.

He said: "However it occurred, whether it was the foot slipping off or the pressing of the accelerator, I am sure it was unintended by the driver."

PC Crooker, who later examined the automatic Vauxhall Astra, which was being driven that day by Mrs Moore’s friend, Mrs Harris, said everything with the car was operating effectively.

He said it was in a good condition and could not find any defects which would have caused loss of control of the car.

The court heard how Mrs Harris has since given up her driving licence.