'Real gentleman' dies on Devon A-road after HGV crash

The former pub landlord had been returning home after briefly visiting a local pub

Driver error or a possible medical episode is said to have caused a motorist to pull out into the path of an oncoming lorry. Former pub landlord Bruce Woodsford, known as Bill, died on the A35 near Axminster, on July 20, 2023.

An inquest heard that the 75-year-old, who lived in Kilmington, had been for his weekly Thursday lunchtime drink alone at The White Hart Inn in Colyford. The bar manager told in a statement how he had his usual two pints of ale and that when he left around 1.20pm, she had gone to check on him because he had seemed a 'bit confused and light-headed'.

She said: "He said, 'I'm okay, I’ve just had a bit of a wobble'."

Saddened by his death, she said: "I am absolutely devasted about the news he died in a road traffic collision. He was a real gentleman and it was lovely to have him and his wife at the pub as regular customers."

The driver of the HGV lorry told in a statement how he could see a blue Citroen stationary at a junction from the A358 ahead of him and when he was around 25ft away from the car it pulled out to turn right in front of him and said he was unable to avoid colliding with it despite applying emergency braking causing the lorry to jackknife.

Witnesses' evidence read out during the inquest at Exeter Coroner’s Court yesterday, September 24, told how the lorry driver 'had no chance of stopping' and was praised for avoiding any other vehicles on the road. Despite medical assistance provided by people at the scene and paramedics, Mr Woodsford was unable to be revived.

The medical cause of death was multiple injuries to the chest and head, alongside ischemic heart disease. The doctor who carried out the post-mortem examination said he couldn't rule out the possibility of a medical event immediately before the collision due to his heart condition.

It was noted the level of alcohol he had consumed was 'consistent with sobriety in the average drinker'. Mr Woodsford's medical history included chronic kidney disease, high blood pressure, anxiety and a previous suspected mini-stroke.

Dashcam footage taken from the lorry was reviewed by police. Motor patrol constable Sarah Harvey told the inquest the lorry driver had been driving within the speed limit.

She said: "The dashcam footage shows he [Mr Woodsford] approaches the junction and it appears he does come to a standstill for a short period of time before then pulling out."

She added there were no defects with either of the vehicles that could have caused or contributed to the collision.

Giving her conclusion for the probable cause of the crash, MPC Harvey said: "The only reasoning we could come up with was whether or not he had a medical episode prior to the incident occurring or just failed to see the HGV approaching and pulled out directly in front of it."

Mr Woodsford, who was married and a retired housing benefits advisor, was said to have spent 15 years in the Merchant Navy after leaving school, and then spent several years running pubs, the last being the New Inn Kilmington where he remained a loyal customer.

In a statement, his stepdaughter Nicola Boyland described Mr Woodsford as a 'creature of habit' and said he was a 'cautious' and 'good' driver who was 'fit and well' despite some health problems.

She said: "He was a very methodical creature of habit. His interests always involved tinkering and working on machines. He enjoyed attending the Wiscombe Hillclimb event to watch the cars racing.

"He was also into steam trains and would often travel on the heritage railway in Yeovil to help maintain the trains there."

Paying tribute to him, she said: "He was a rock for my mum and is greatly missed."

Recording a conclusion of road traffic collision, senior coroner Philip Spinney said: "Based on the evidence I have heard it is not possible to determine why Mr Woodsford entered the carriageway in the path of the HGV. The evidence does not support the conclusion it was intentional.

"It is more likely than not it was accidental and was either due to a medical event or momentary lapse of concentration and judgement."