A freak gust of wind could have claimed the lives of a pensioner and her dog, an inquest heard.
Mrs Rosemary Crosland, 72, of Mount, was walking sheepdog Casper on exposed New Hey Road at Outlane when tragedy struck.
Mother-of-three Mrs Crosland braved winds of between 80mph and 100mph when she took her dog out in January storms.
The Huddersfield hearing was told how Mrs Crosland was likely to have been blown into the road seconds before she was hit by a passing car. The driver told how she “appeared from nowhere.”
A detective later called to investigate the accident told how she could barely stand due to the force of the wind.
And investigators who normally compile scale drawings of an accident scene at the time had to return later as they couldn’t operate equipment in the extreme conditions.
Recording that Mrs Crosland died as a result of a road accident, West Yorkshire coroner Martin Fleming said: “There is clear evidence the weather significantly contributed to what happened.
“It was blowing a gale such as even the investigating officers couldn’t stand up.
“Such were the high winds that Mrs Crosland was blown into the road and these freak weather conditions caused an unforeseeable and tragic turn of events.”
The accident happened in New Hey Road near the White Swan pub at 7.55am on January 9.
The driver of the Peugeot 206, Mrs Bethan Clements, of Birkby, told how she was driving to work when Mrs Crosland and her dog “came out of nowhere”, suddenly appearing from her right hand side as she came round a bend.
Mrs Clements slammed on her brakes but could not avoid Mrs Crosland. Skid marks showed she was travelling at 33mph in a 40mph zone.
A tearful Mrs Clements said: “There was nothing I could do. I wish there was.”
After the accident Mrs Clements flagged down passing motorists and Mrs Crosland was treated at the roadside.
A passing nurse, Heather Firth, gave first aid and attempted cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) while others who stopped included off-duty police officer Geraldine Joyce and Sally Garside, a mum on the school run.
A doctor from the Yorkshire Air Ambulance took the decision to stop resuscitation at the scene. A post-mortem found Mrs Crosland died of massive head injuries.
Mrs Crosland’s long-term partner Jack Swallow, 80, of Dewsbury, told the inquest how he spent several days a week at Mrs Crosland’s home and they cared for the dog together. Mrs Crosland had got Casper to replace a dog that died but he did most of the walking.
On the morning she died he rang to tell her he was on his way but would be up to half-an-hour later than usual as he needed to collect a part for his car.
Mrs Crosland decided not to wait for him to walk the dog and thought she could be back before he arrived.
“I suppose she didn’t want to put me out,” said Mr Swallow.
After the hearing Mr Swallow paid tribute to Mrs Crosland, a devoted worker for Outlane Methodist Church.
“She was a lovely woman and did such a lot for the church. Even if we went away we’d have to arrange it so she didn’t miss church on Sundays.”
The family wanted to thank everyone who stopped to help and Mr Swallow added: “I really feel for the driver. It was just a complete freak.”
