A four-car collision left two people dead after a 90-year-old driver travelled more than 450m in the wrong direction on a busy dual carriageway, an inquest heard
A woman and her dog have tragically lost their lives in a horrific four-car collision after a 90 year old motorist made a wrong turn and drove over 450m down a dual carriageway in the wrong direction.
The deadly crash occurred on the A48 in Carmarthenshire, between Pont Abraham Roundabout, where the M4 terminates, and Cross Hands Roundabout, which is four miles further west towards Carmarthen. Around midday on Tuesday, November 5, 2024, a Toyota driven by 90 year old John Howell Price collided with a Ford driven by 30 year old solicitor Emily Thornton-Sandy.
A massive emergency services response, including police and paramedics, was dispatched to the A48 following the collision, which took place on the eastbound stretch of the dual carriageway.
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Mr Price sadly passed away at the scene, while Mrs Thornton-Sandy was rushed to the University Hospital of Wales in Cardiff where, despite the best efforts of medical staff, she succumbed to her injuries six days later on November 11, 2024. Her dog Scout, who was in the vehicle at the time of the accident, also sadly died.
Inquests into the deaths of Mr Price and Mrs Thornton-Sandy were held back-to-back on Wednesday, December 3, at Llanelli Town Hall. Forensic collision investigator David Stacey of Dyfed-Powys Police provided evidence at both hearings, reports Wales Online.
The crash involved four cars altogether, the inquests were told. A Renault and a BMW sustained damage from secondary collisions after the Toyota had smashed into the Ford. Investigation officer Mr Stacey explained that driver Mr Price had emerged from a junction on the eastbound carriageway near Cross Hands – an access point serving a Welsh Water sewage treatment works.
He then made a right turn and travelled in lane two of the eastbound carriageway heading in a westbound direction. This continued for approximately 452m before he ploughed into the Ford driven by Mrs Thornton-Sandy.
Mr Stacey informed the inquest into Mr Price’s death: “The road was in a good state of repair.” He added: “There were no issues with the road surface at the collision point. The weather was dry and overcast.”
The investigator noted “there is a sign directing traffic to turn left” upon exiting the junction, stating that any sun glare was “in my opinion not an issue”. He informed the hearing that neither the Toyota nor the Ford had left emergency braking marks on the tarmac, with both vehicles becoming airborne from the impact before being struck by other cars.
Both Mr Price and Mrs Thornton-Sandy were wearing seatbelts when the collision occurred. The Toyota’s speedometer had “frozen” at 43mph, whilst the Ford’s had stopped at 62mph.
The speed limit on that stretch of road where the crash happened is 70mph. The inquests heard that dashcam footage and CCTV from nearby business Castell Howell was scrutinised and clearly revealed Mr Price’s Toyota making a right turn before travelling down lane two of the eastbound carriageway against the flow of traffic.
Mr Stacey also revealed how just two days prior to the fatal collision, Mr Price had been assessed by a medical professional at his residence following an episode of syncope – the clinical term for fainting or brief loss of consciousness. Nevertheless, there was no medical indication suggesting he should have been prohibited from driving, the inquest was told.
Mr Stacey stated there was no evidence that either motorist was under the influence of alcohol or drugs during the crash, nor was there any indication that either was travelling at excessive speed or using a mobile phone.
He explained that Mrs Thornton-Sandy had “little time if any to avoid the Toyota” after moving into lane two of the eastbound carriageway, with the Toyota “being driven in the wrong direction”. Mr Stacey continued: “Why the driver drove the wrong way is unknown.”
The senior coroner for Carmarthenshire and Pembrokeshire, Paul Bennett, presented a post-mortem examination report during the inquest, which had been compiled by Dr John Murphy, a pathologist at Glangwili Hospital in Carmarthen.
The post-mortem examination determined that Mr Price’s death was caused by multiple injuries sustained in a road traffic collision. Mr Bennett stated it would be “pure speculation” to attempt to establish why Mr Price executed the manoeuvre he did when turning right from the junction.
“Why he made such an action I am unable to say,” he added.
Drawing the inquest into Mr Price’s death to a close, Mr Bennett confirmed the 90 year old perished from multiple injuries and delivered a formal short-form conclusion of road traffic collision. A statement delivered on behalf of Mr Price’s family during the inquest read: “John was a kind, considerate, and caring person. He was much-loved by members of his family. He is sadly missed by his family and friends.”
During the second hearing, Mr Stacey faced questioning from Mrs Thornton-Sandy’s relatives and acknowledged that concerns regarding Mr Price’s vision had been flagged to the DVLA in 2023 following an incident reported by Dyfed-Powys Police.
He also verified that Mr Price underwent medical assessments and an eye examination afterwards, which failed to produce adequate evidence to deem him unfit to drive.
Mr Bennett read aloud a statement penned by Mrs Thornton-Sandy’s husband, Stuart, which stated: “Nobody should have to see their wife as I saw Emily in hospital. Emily lost her life and I lost my future. I want to do what I can to prevent other families from losing someone in such a cruel way. I never envisaged that I would live my life without her. I felt like I lost purpose when I lost Emily and Scout.”
Mr Bennett also delivered a statement penned by Mrs Thornton-Sandy’s parents, who expressed: “My wife and I are devastated by the loss of our only child Emily. She was a kind and caring daughter who was taken from us in a tragedy which was avoidable.”
The grieving parents urged that if anyone harbours worries about an elderly relative’s driving ability, they should voice these concerns to prevent another tragedy like the one that claimed their daughter’s life.
Mr Bennett referenced a medical assessment compiled by Dr Gareth Scholey from Cardiff and Vale University Health Board, which determined Mrs Thornton-Sandy’s death resulted from tension pneumothorax and traumatic brain injury.
Extending his sympathies to Mrs Thornton-Sandy’s loved ones, Mr Bennett acknowledged that three individuals had received life-saving organs following her passing. Bringing the inquest to a close, he delivered a formal short-form verdict of road traffic collision.
