A WORCESTER man died from severe head injuries after his Ford Escort van careered into the path of an oncoming tractor, an inquest heard.

Mark Godfrey, aged 26, died in the accident on the A491 Sandy Lane, Bromsgrove, at the junction with Money Lane.

The inquest heard how Mr Godfrey had failed to stop at the junction at 5.45pm on Tuesday, January 24, and was then hit by the six ton tractor being driven by Tim Ash-Moxon.

Deputy Worcestershire coroner Tim Sherwood heard how the agricultural vehicle then veered into an oncoming Scania lorry after the impact of the collision burst one of the tractor's tyres.

In a statement read at the inquest, Mr Ash-Moxon said he had been unable to avoid the van as it had appeared from nowhere yards in front of him.

"There was no way I could avoid him," he said.

"The road was clear, then there he was in front of me and there was no way I was not going to hit him."

Fractured ribs

Mr Ash-Moxon, who lives in Bridgnorth, suffered cuts during the incident and Brian Bonser, who was driving the lorry, suffered cuts and fractured ribs.

Eyewitness Dr Faiuna Haseeb said she watched Mr Godfrey's van travelling fast as it approached the junction.

She said she had tried to resuscitate Mr Godfrey after finding him slumped in the driver's seat but her efforts had not been successful.

David Reece, collision investigator for West Mercia Police, told the inquest that it had appeared that Mr Godfrey had either not realised a junction was approaching or misjudged his speed and skidded out into the path of the tractor.

Mr Sherwood said it was clear Mr Godfrey came straight out into the main road without stopping at the junction and into the path of the tractor.

He added he believed there was nothing Mr Ash-Moxon could have done to avoid the collision and recorded a verdict of accidental death.