Driver died swerving to avoid rat
A woman was killed instantly when she swerved to avoid an animal – believed to be a rat – and smashed into a lamppost.
Sharon Nicolson, who was in the car with her boyfriend Mark Waring, received horrific injuries in the crash on the East Lancashire Road at Haydock.
The coroner said she paid "the ultimate price" for doing what 99 per cent of drivers would have done.
Ms Nicolson, 31, of The Coverts, Swinley, had picked up Mr Waring from his home in Haydock in her Mini Cooper last December 14.
The couple were driving to a Chinese restaurant in Fingerpost, St Helens, at about 9.40pm on the inside lane of the East Lancs Road towards Manchester, an inquest at St Helens Hospital heard.
The car was travelling at 60mph when a small animal ran across the road, from left to right.
Mr Waring told the inquest: "The small creature, which looked like a rat, was illuminated by the headlights.
"I was startled and so was Sharon. The car jolted to the right and I closed my eyes, I felt as if I was being thrown around, despite having my seatbelt on."
Ms Nicolson swerved the car right and left in an effort to avoid the animal and the vehicle spun anti-clockwise on to a grass verge before smashing into the lamppost.
Mr Waring said: "I remember being outside the car, but do not remember opening the door."
A teenager returning home from a party ran to help Mr Waring while his girlfriend remained unconscious in the car.
The lamppost had been smashed from its base and was wrapped around the car.
Ms Nicolson had not been wearing her seatbelt but PC Alisdair Bowden, who investigated the accident, suggested that even if she had it would not have saved her life.
Neither of the couple had been drinking.
Coroner Christopher Sumner, recording a verdict of accidental death, said: "Sharon lost control as some form of animal ran from one side of the carriageway to the other.
"She reacted the way 99% of people would, but paid the ultimate price."
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Thursday 02 September 2010
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