Driver, 77, died in crash after ‘trying to overtake six vehicles’

A MAN died in a car crash after attempting to overtake “probably six” vehicles at once, an inquest heard.

Patrick Vincent Flaherty, 77, died at the scene of the crash on the A483 near Ardleen, Powys, at around 4.30pm on August 17 last year.

The crash involved “devoted” family man Mr Flaherty’s blue Ford Fusion as well as a black Vauxhall Astra and a Morrisons lorry.

At yesterday’s inquest in Pontypridd coroner David Regan read a statement on behalf of Mr Flaherty’s daughter, Mary FlahertyWeeks.

In the statement Ms FlahertyWeeks said: “He had no major convictions or points on his licence.”

Mr Flaherty was living in Golga Close, Welshpool, before he died.

At the hearing witnesses described seeing Mr Flaherty trying to overtake other vehicles before the crash took place. Mr Flaherty subsequently collided with a black Vauxhall Astra driven by Billy Smith and carrying three passengers.

Mr Smith said in a statement: “From what I remember there was no other vehicle behind me – just the 4x4 in front.

“I was, I think, at 60mph and music was playing on my stereo. The 4x4 braked so sharply. I had a few seconds to make a decision.”

Mr Smith said he could either have steered into the hedge or attempted to go around the 4x4. “I steered right,” he said.

“The blue car was right in front of me. I felt the cars collide. People were saying they had seen the blue car overtaking.”

Jacob David Powell, who was travelling in Mr Smith’s car at the time, said: “I would describe Bill as a good driver. He would stick to the rules and wouldn’t speed.

“I remember seeing a blue car coming towards us – on the wrong side of the road.”

In a statement provided to the coroner and read at the hearing witness Simon Robert Huish said: “The blue car was on the wrong side of the road.”

Describing where the blue car was positioned before thay Mr Huish added: “I would say it was about five or six car lengths behind. It was trying to overtake but not making progress.”

Dyfed-Powys Police also provided the coroner with a report. The report read: “It is likely that Mr Flaherty overtaking was a key factor of this collision.”

A pathology report suggested the most likely cause of death was due to Mr Flaherty sustaining a severe chest injury. The coroner accepted this when making his conclusion.

Mr Regan said:“I will record he died as a result of a road traffic collision.”