GAZETTE & HERALD: Optical engineer Geoffrey Smith, 60, was killed in a triple vehicle collision on the A4 at Pewsham, near Chippenham, after a car in front veered across the path of an oncoming lorry, an inquest heard.

Coroner Richard van Oppen recorded a verdict of accidental death.

Mr Smith, lived with his wife Christine in Carpenters Close, Calne. He was a keen fly fisher and dog trainer, who developed a love for country life.

The couple ran a firm, which manufactured optical grinding machines.

On September 25, Mr Smith was travelling to an appointment along the A4 towards Chippenham around 7.30am. He was driving behind a Vauxhall which was being driven by Chief Technician John Plant who was returning home after a 12-hour shift at RAF Lyneham.

Witnesses said they saw the Vauxhall veer into the middle of the road.

The inquest heard Anthony O'Dell from Doncaster was driving his lorry towards Calne when he saw the Vauxhall in the middle of the road coming towards him.

Mr O'Dell said he could see that the Vauxhall driver was not square behind the wheel but was slumped towards the passenger side.

He tried to avoid the car and slammed on his brakes. The lorry skidded and crashed into the Vauxhall sending it somersaulting into the air. As the lorry swerved it also collided with Mr Smith's Subaru pushing it to the side of the carriageway.

"Everything was a blur. I thought I was going to die," said Mr O'Dell.

The Vauxhall ended up upside down on the bank to the left of the carriageway facing Calne, and the lorry and Subaru were on the opposite verge. The lorry smashed through a fence and ended up in a field.

Mr Plant clambered out of his vehicle but was covered in blood caused by the smashed windscreen. Mr O'Dell received only minor injuries but Mr Smith was trapped in his car. Other motorists stopped to help the crash victims and tried unsuccessfully to free Mr Smith from his car.

Richard Maslin, who had been a passenger in a refuse truck, saw the accident and got out to help Mr Smith. He said the windscreen of the Subaru was smashed and the driver's side of the car was pushed in. Mr Maslin said he tried to speak to Mr Smith.

The inquest heard firefighters arrived at the accident and cut Mr Smith free from the wreckage but he was pronounced dead at the scene.

Mr Plant was arrested by police and taken to Melksham police station. During a police interview he said he could not remember what had happened but did not think he had fallen asleep. He said "I think about it every day. I can't remember what happened between me passing the (Pewsham) garage and crawling out of the car."

He was charged with causing death by dangerous driving. He will appear in court on a date to be fixed. Mr van Oppen said the accident appeared to have happened as a result of Mr Plant falling asleep.