AN inquest heard how wearing a seatbelt could have saved the life of a man who died after a 10mph crash.

Wiltshire Coroner David Masters heard how Brian Stratford, 53, of St Andrew's Close, Wroughton, died in hospital 40 days after suffering a broken neck and severe chest injuries from driving into the back of a stationary forklift truck.

Mr Stratford, who had from muscular dystrophy and thrombosis, was driving his white Renault Scenic along Marlborough Road in Wroughton in January when the accident happened.

Recording a verdict of accidental death, Mr Masters concluded: "Mr Stratford's underlying muscle problem had a significant impact on his death.

"Had he been wearing a seatbelt it is unlikely he would have suffered the chest injuries that led to his death, and he might have survived."

The inquest heard that Brimble Hill was clogged up by two articulated lorries that had slowed down to pass each other. Behind one of the lorries was a stationary forklift truck.

Police investigations concluded that Mr Stratford had been travelling at an estimated 30mph before the crash and had slowed to a speed just above 10mph on impact.

But for some reason he was not wearing his seatbelt and because of the slow speed of impact the vehicle's airbag did not activate.

Immediately after the crash, the driver of the forklift, Grant Wallace of Eastwood Avenue, Wootton Bassett, called the emergency services while holding Mr Stratford's chest to stop him moving.

The inquest heard Mr Stratford suffered a broken neck and severe chest injuries in the impact.

Princess Margaret Hospital's intensive care consultant, Malcolm Watters, told the inquest that Mr Stratford's medical condition had "played a significant part in his death".

He said Mr Stratford's reactions had been slower than those of the average person and the chest injuries sustained in the accident ultimately lead to his death.

The inquest heard that during his stay at Swindon's Princess Margaret Hospital Mr Stratford suffered from two chest infections, was placed on a ventilator and was never able to breathe on his own.

He died in February of bronchial pneumonia after a "significant effort" by intensive care staff to stabilise him.