A family of three died when their car was driven at over 100mph and left the M5 motorway in South Gloucestershire. Andrew Moore, 46, Swala Harling, 47, and Sebastian Moore, 14, were killed when their BMW left the northbound carriageway on the evening of May 30 last year.
Witnesses describe high-speed driving
Avon Coroner’s Court heard the BMW was seen to swerve across the motorway, collide with a crash barrier, travel down an embankment and crash into trees. Eyewitnesses described seeing the estate car undertaking, crossing lanes and driving up the hard shoulder at high speed.
Driver Mr Moore, his partner who was a front-seat passenger, and their son, who was a nearside passenger, were all declared dead at the scene. Area coroner Dr Peter Harrowing said that although Mr Moore suffered with epilepsy, had undergone an aortic valve replacement and had a pacemaker fitted, there was not enough evidence to support a conclusion he had suffered a medical episode.
Motorists give evidence at inquest
The inquest heard evidence from several motorists who witnessed the manner of Mr Moore’s driving. Andrew Robiliard said the BMW had passed him at speed in the outside lane and then crossed lanes to drive onto the hard shoulder to undertake lorries. “I would estimate the speed at over 100mph,” he said.
Lorry driver Adam Norris said he was “shocked” to see the car undertake him on the hard shoulder. “I would estimate it between 100mph and 120mph. It could even be as much as 130mph,” he said. Joshua Jack estimated the car was driving at around 140mph. “It was travelling very fast and had thrown up debris from the hard shoulder, which covered my car,” he said.
Another motorist, Andrew Harding, said: “Not only was the car driving fast, but I could see it had its hazard lights on. I formed the opinion it appeared like someone apart from the driver was trying to steer. By this I mean it appeared that whoever was in control of the car was over-compensating, causing the car to swerve from side to side.”
Collision described as 'like an explosion'
From his rear-view mirror, motorist Ali Shabaz saw the BMW crash. “I can only describe this collision as like an explosion, with a big cloud of smoke followed by car parts being thrown everywhere,” he said. Lorry driver Peter Bakowsky also witnessed the crash and told the court: “In a matter of seconds, I saw the vehicle brake lights come on and heard tyres screeching, before watching the vehicle crash into the barriers landing in a field. The next thing I remember is a cloud of dust and parts of the vehicle scattered across the motorway.”
Another lorry driver, Jurgens Terblanche, was on the southbound carriageway when he saw the crash. “I then saw the white car speed direct into and collide with the barrier with a massive force, and the car pitched upwards and went airborne towards several trees just off the motorway,” he said. “I would describe it travelling some distance airborne before it collides with the trees and dropped into what looked like a ravine off the motorway.”
Coroner records road traffic collision deaths
The emergency services went to the scene, but the three occupants of the car, from Chesterfield, Derbyshire, were declared dead soon after. The court heard that collision investigators were unable to say whether there were any faults or defects with the BMW due to the damage sustained.
Post-mortem examinations found that Mr Moore, a mechanic, died from multiple injuries, while Ms Harling, an IT worker, also died from multiple injuries, and Sebastian’s cause of death was given as head injuries. Toxicology tests for Mr Moore were negative for drugs and alcohol, and his heart and brain were examined by experts but “again nothing of note was found that caused or contributed to the death”, the coroner said.
“It is not for me to answer a question of why,” Dr Harrowing said. “There is insufficient evidence before me to indicate that this was a deliberate act on the part of Mr Moore in driving the vehicle in the manner in which he had driven. It has not been possible to identify whether there were any mechanical defects. He may have suffered a medical episode at the time, but there is insufficient evidence for me to make a finding in that respect. Therefore, as to why the vehicle was being driven in the manner it was driven, there is insufficient evidence for me to reach a conclusion on the balance of probabilities.” The coroner recorded conclusions of deaths caused by a road traffic collision.
