A popular sportsman “momentarily” lost control of his car as he cornered a long bend an inquest heard yesterday.
Andy Bessell, 28, of Kilner Bank, Huddersfield, was driving a Renault Laguna when it crashed into a wall on a bend in Northgate, Honley, on the afternoon of February 14.
Huddersfield Coroners’ Court heard a passing nurse treated him at the scene before he was airlifted to Leeds General Infirmary.
Sadly he suffered serious head, neck and chest injuries and died there five days later.
Read more: Tributes to sportsman Andy Bessell who died in hospital after car crash in Honley
Mr Bessell had played rugby for Lindley Swifts and soccer for Upperthong. He was also a cricketer.
In a statement read out to the court by Coroners Officer, Steve Hepplestone, nurse Nicola O’Hara said: “I said to my husband as a nurse I would do what I could to help.
“I could tell he was in a bad way as he was not breathing and unresponsive. Another lady said he had no seat belt on.”
Police accident investigator Mark Lingard described the scene of the accident to which there were no direct eyewitnesses.
He told the court: “The bend is almost as if it never ends. It’s a long, steep bend.”
The court heard the road had a 30mph speed limit, SLOW signs painted on the road and chevron warnings.
But Mr Lingard said there was no indication Mr Bessell was exceeding the speed limit at the time of the accident.
He said the vehicle crashed into the driveway of Knole (Correct) House and crashed into a stone wall that was back-filled.
Mr Lingard said: “The car has flipped 270 degrees and there was an intrusion into the front of almost one metre. He has steered too far left and collided with the corner of the wall.
“Why an over steer has taken place is completely unknown.”
In a statement read to the court by Mr Hepplestone, Mr Bessell’s father Tim said his son loved cars and driving but “ironically it was in the Renault that he met his death despite owning a succession of high-powered cars.”
Following the accident he said: “We all expected him to make a full recovery. Sadly, the worst injuries were internal.
“He was a much-loved son. He had a fantastic group of mates.
“I want to cry every day and there’s not many when I don’t. We are immensely proud of our son.”
Senior coroner Martin Fleming told Mr Bessell’s family and friends his death “was tragic and untimely.”
He said there had been “some kind of momentary lapse” which had caused him to lose control of the vehicle and hit the wall.
Death was due to a traffic collision.
