Inquest into C1 driver’s death

The safety harness worn by a driver who died at Snetterton came unbuckled moments before her fatal crash, an inquest has heard.

Angela Lucas was participating in a Citroen C1 endurance race at the circuit on 4 July 2021 when she was involved in a collision. The 42-year-old died as a result of serious head injuries.

A full inquest into her death is due to be held in front of a jury on 3-4 May.

But, at a pre-inquest review hearing held at Norfolk Coroners’ Court last Thursday, it emerged that her safety harness came unbuckled shortly before the crash.

Jacqueline Lake, senior coroner for Norfolk, said attempting to ascertain how this had happened would make up part of the two-day inquest.

The review also heard concerns from members of Lucas’s family that the same harness had come undone the day before while being worn by her team-mate Shaun Fray.

Lake confirmed that the harness itself would be brought to the court to allow it to be demonstrated to members of the jury as part of the evidence.

She added that serious consideration would be given as to whether CCTV footage of the crash would be shown to the jury during the hearing, admitting she was “reluctant” as family members had not yet seen it.