Mother, 68, died after falling out of her car and running herself over as she tried to reverse park outside her house, inquest hears

  • Sandra Jones, 68, fell out of her Ford Fiesta while parking outside her home
  • She had opened the door to get a better view while trying to reverse park
  • But Mrs Jones fell out, pulling the wheel and causing the car to run her over
  • She suffered multiple injuries and died in hospital on December 3 last year 
  • A coroner recorded a verdict of accidental death following Wednesday's inquest 

By ADAM SHERGOLD, SENIOR SPORTS REPORTER

Published: | Updated:

A 'loving' mum was killed in a freak accident after being run over by her own car while trying to park outside her home, an inquest heard.

Sandra Jones, 68, fell out of the vehicle after opening a door to help her view of the kerb while trying to reverse into a disabled parking bay in Leigh, Greater Manchester, on December 3 last year.

An inquest heard how Mrs Jones, who was returning from the supermarket, was likely to have pulled the wheel while falling out of the vehicle, causing it to 'swing violently' before knocking her to the floor.

The street in Leigh, Greater Manchester, where Sandra Jones, 68, was killed when run over by her own car in December last year

The street in Leigh, Greater Manchester, where Sandra Jones, 68, was killed when run over by her own car in December last year 

Neighbours rushed to her aid after hearing desperate cries for help but Mrs Jones was left with multiple severe injuries, which proved fatal.

The car's momentum carried it backwards onto the kerb before smashing into a nearby wall.

Eyewitness Barry Ward told Bolton Coroner's Court at the inquest on Wednesday how he saw the grey Ford Fiesta swing out at speed before knocking Mrs Jones to the floor.

PC Martin Davies, a forensic collision reconstruction officer for Greater Manchester Police, told the inquest it was likely she had fallen out of the opened door and pulled the wheel.

That caused the car to swing out into the road and the front wheel to travel over her body.

Aime Bailey told the court she ran outside after seeing the pensioner lying in the road and Mrs Jones told her: 'It just went backwards.'

Ms Bailey told police Mrs Jones was 'a creature of habit' and she would often lean out of the vehicle when parking to ensure she was aligned with the kerb.

An inquest at Bolton Coroner's Court (pictured) recorded a verdict of accidental death

An inquest at Bolton Coroner's Court (pictured) recorded a verdict of accidental death 

Another witness, Michelle Butler, said she heard Mrs Jones explain she was 'half in and half out' of the vehicle when she 'lost balance and went under.'

An ambulance was called and Mrs Jones died later that day despite treatment at Manchester Royal Infirmary.

A post-mortem examination found she suffered severe injuries to her right arm and left leg, as well as to her liver and one of her lungs.

Mrs Jones's daughter, Janine Core, described her mother as a 'caring' woman who was devoted to her family.

She added her mother could be 'unsteady on her feet' and had suffered a fall at a bank in Leigh a few months earlier, banging her head. Mrs Jones had started using a crutch as a support.

Recording a conclusion of accidental death, coroner Alan Walsh described what had happened as 'immensely tragic'.

Mr Walsh said: 'Mrs Jones was a very caring, loving and respected lady and an important member of her family.

'It is extremely sad that she should be driving a car and, in the process of parking it, she should then suffer unsurvivable injuries.'

 

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