Skull of man in parking row ‘almost shattered’
A PEDESTRIAN allegedly struck by a Land Rover in a supermarket car park had “massive damage” to his skull with “an almost shattering of the back of the head”.
Yesterday, a pathologist gave evidence during the third day of driver Timothy Higgins’ trial at Cardiff Crown Court for offences including manslaughter.
Pedestrian Christopher Gadd was 48 when he died following the collision in the car park at Sainsbury’s in Newbridge Road in Pontllanfraith, Caerphilly, on March 4.
Pathologist Dr Richard Jones, who examined Mr Gadd’s body at the scene and then carried out a post-mortem examination, said the procedure began with a CT scan because he thought there was significant damage to the skull.
He told the court: “I could see there was obviously massive damage to the skull with many fractures and bleeding around the brain.”
He added: “That damage, to me looking at the 3D reconstructions, was concentrated at the back of the head.
“Not only did they involve an almost shattering of the back of the head, there were fractures running across the base of the skull from one side to the other.”
The court heard there was a fracture running from one side of the skull to the other, right through the base of the skull. Dr Jones found the cause of death was blunt-force head injury.
During cross-examination by
Paul
Lewis QC, for the defendant, Dr Jones was asked whether there was evidence to suggest Mr Gadd was “run over” by a vehicle.
Dr Jones said: “One might have looked at the degree of damage to the skull as evidence of compression of the head, but I am satisfied one can get that pattern of injury from the fall on to the head.
“I don’t think there is any evidence from my examination that would fit with Mr Gadd being run over.”
Mr Lewis asked: “Everything that you saw from a medical perspective was consistent with Mr Gadd having fallen to the ground and hit his head on the road?” Dr Jones agreed.
“A single impact causing obviously catastrophic damage,” said Mr Lewis. The pathologist agreed.
Higgins, 22, from The Glade in Wyllie, Caerphilly, denies manslaughter and causing death while driving uninsured and without a licence.
The trial continues.