A COUPLE'S holiday ended in tragedy when a husband veered off the motorway and crashed into a broken down van, killing his beloved wife.

John Taylor was so devastated by the loss of 66-year-old Sadie that he no longer felt life was worth living, an inquest heard.

Gloucester Coroner David Gibbons heard Mr Taylor, of Earl's Croome, near Upton-on-Severn, appeared to be driving his VW Sirocco normally along the M5 near Gloucester when he began to drift slowly on to the hard shoulder.

Other motorists watched in horror as the Sirocco ploughed into the van at 70mph, and described a "red explosion" as the car catapulted into the air.

Mrs Taylor died from massive injuries, including a fractured skull. Every one of her ribs was fractured, said pathologist Dr Jonathan Christie-Brown.

The coroner recorded a verdict of accidental death following the collision on Saturday, June 30, which happened as the couple were on their way home from the south of England.

"This was a very tragic end to a pleasant summer holiday," said the coroner.

"It was the most unfortunate way for a holiday to end."

Police could find no explanation, but the possibility that Mr Taylor had fallen asleep could not be ruled out.

Julie Finnegan, who had followed Mr Taylor's car for some time, described his driving as "impeccable" before he moved on to the hard shoulder and headed for the van.

"I felt fear and dread about what was going to happen," she said. "The hair stood up on the back of my neck.

"I was willing the Sirocco to straighten up. I then watched it hit the van. It collided with it at 70mph - its speed never faltered as it left the motorway."

She described the impact as "immense" and said there was debris everywhere.

As she rushed over to the Sirocco, Mrs Taylor appeared dead and Mr Taylor was asking how his wife was.

PC Lisa Wood, a police family liaison officer, said she had kept in touch with Mr Taylor since the accident, including at Ronkswood Hospital, Worcester.

He had been devastated by his wife's death and blamed himself, she said. He had described her as the "backbone" of their marriage and said they did everything together.

"I felt he didn't want to recover from his injuries," she said. "He could remember nothing of the accident, except that they'd been on holiday and that they were in no rush."

He had often broken down in tears when talking to her.

The only person who could shed light on the crash would be Mr Taylor himself, but he had lost his memory because of his trauma and injury, the inquest heard.